A case of embezzlement unearthed recently in Rawalpindi and involving Baitul Mal funds to the tune of Rs8.3m represents another challenge to the credibility of our social protection network. There is already a perception that the benefits of the Baitul Mal are not reaching the poorest segments.
In this case, an investigation has been launched and five people — three belonging to the administrative staff of a public hospital, the other two owners of medical stores — have been arrested. The five were allegedly involved in processing fake cases of medical treatment to obtain Baitul Mal grants. With the assistance of the FIA, the Baitul Mal is investigating the likelihood of similar cases in other hospitals.Unfortunately, those tasked with monitoring social assistance have not been successful in ensuring that aid reaches the most marginalised and vulnerable sections of society. For instance, ours was one of two countries in the world with a compulsory zakat deduction scheme, but the latter has seen a reduction in contributions in recent years, especially since the option to bypass the government scheme is now available to those who want to make private donations. Meanwhile, gender bias in our social safety network has led to the creation of the Benazir Income Support Programme, to dispense cash assistance directly and regularly to needy women and their families.With corruption endemic in so many government institutions tasked with social protection, it is clear that more resources will pour into only those that ensure transparency and efficiency. Eliminating corruption and careful scrutiny of applications are necessary to ensuring the effectiveness of the social safety network. Selecting deserving applicants and reviewing the eligibility of existing recipients entails widening the national database system to cover the nearly 13 million people without national identity cards. Also required is the development of efficient databases to facilitate cross-checking of recipients.
In this case, an investigation has been launched and five people — three belonging to the administrative staff of a public hospital, the other two owners of medical stores — have been arrested. The five were allegedly involved in processing fake cases of medical treatment to obtain Baitul Mal grants. With the assistance of the FIA, the Baitul Mal is investigating the likelihood of similar cases in other hospitals.Unfortunately, those tasked with monitoring social assistance have not been successful in ensuring that aid reaches the most marginalised and vulnerable sections of society. For instance, ours was one of two countries in the world with a compulsory zakat deduction scheme, but the latter has seen a reduction in contributions in recent years, especially since the option to bypass the government scheme is now available to those who want to make private donations. Meanwhile, gender bias in our social safety network has led to the creation of the Benazir Income Support Programme, to dispense cash assistance directly and regularly to needy women and their families.With corruption endemic in so many government institutions tasked with social protection, it is clear that more resources will pour into only those that ensure transparency and efficiency. Eliminating corruption and careful scrutiny of applications are necessary to ensuring the effectiveness of the social safety network. Selecting deserving applicants and reviewing the eligibility of existing recipients entails widening the national database system to cover the nearly 13 million people without national identity cards. Also required is the development of efficient databases to facilitate cross-checking of recipients.
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