Third meeting
of BISP Design Committee was held today at BISP Secretariat to discuss the
proposed new eligibility criteria for beneficiaries in the wake of new survey
and the proposed graduation models.
Chaired by
the Secretary BISP Omar Hamid Khan, the meeting was attended by the BISP Board
members Dr. Ali Cheema, Dr. Abdul Bari, Dr. Zeba Sathar and senior officers of
BISP.
During the
meeting, the participants were briefed about the need of new eligibility
criteria as the pilot phase of new survey for National Socio-Economic Regidtry
(NSER) update is about to close in 14 districts of the country. The fresh data
as a result of new survey which is more comprehensive and scientific requires
new eligibility criteria for inclusion of beneficiaries. The existing and the
proposed new eligibility criteria were presented in the meeting and a detailed
comparison of the two was made. The participants were of the view that as the
new eligibility criteria would be based on the empirical evidence obtained
through the pilot phase of survey in 14 districts, it was pertinent to finalize
the eligibility criteria once complete data covering all the dimensions of the
population like marital status, chronic diseases, disability, age and others
had been worked out.
Two
graduation models were presented in the meeting which included ADB funded
models and Harvard-MIT-LSC model. ADB funded models included Comprehensive
Coaching Model and Inclusive Business Model while Direct Cash Transfer Model
was part of Harvard-MIT-LSC model. These graduation models aim to make
beneficiaries self sufficient through skill development and entrepreneurship
and help them graduate out of poverty. Participants of the meeting discussed
this agenda item of proposed graduation models in detail. They considered the
model of Direct Cash Transfer to beneficiaries for a period of 2 to 3 years on
pilot basis more relevant as the research evidence supported this model.
It was agreed
in the meeting that the two agenda items of proposed eligibility criteria and
graduation models along with new Proxy Means Test (PMT) Formula would be
discussed and finalized in the next meeting scheduled on November 10, 2017.
Secretary BISP directed his team to work out the proposals comprehensively so
that in the next meeting these important issues are decided.
***
