ISLAMABAD: Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) has launched biometric verification system (BVS) in Battagram to make payment transparent.
Minister of State and Chairperson BISP MNA Marvi Memon said since inception, BISP has seen significant improvements in payment modes ensuring transparency and effective service delivery. Payments through BVS would eliminate the middle man culture making it more transparent and efficient.
This she said while inaugurating BVS in Battagram. BISP beneficiaries, BISP officials, local politicians, notables and media were also present on the occasion.
Previously payments in Battagram were made through mobile phone banking. Now BISP has switched over to biometric based withdrawal mechanism in Battagram.
In BVS, beneficiary would present CNIC only at POS (Point of Sale) or franchisee of the partner bank and affix her thumb impression for the withdrawal. A system generated receipt would be given to her showing the record of payment and balance.
Chairperson BISP reiterated that BVS is the most simplified and user friendly payment mode with less security tiers as compared to other modes of payment. The mandatory presence of beneficiary for receiving stipend would make her empowered in true sense as per Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar’s vision of financial inclusion.
The chairperson added that beneficiaries, in the districts where BVS is being implemented, will receive free of cost SIMS for communication purpose in November. They would receive messages from banks informing them about the arrival/withdrawals of stipends in their accounts as and when happens. This will help beneficiaries for receipt of full amounts as received from BISP.
Chairperson BISP also stated that in Battagram she has been welcomed by the politicians of Pakistan Muslim League-N, Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf alike. She added that they have expressed happiness over the fact that BISP has upgraded the payment system for the ease and benefit of beneficiaries.
In 2008, when BISP was started, payments were made through Pakistan Post. Gradually, the payment system was shifted to smart cards, mobile phone banking and debit cards. At present, 90% of beneficiaries are drawing their stipends through debit cards, 1% through Mobile banking and 3% through biometric mechanism and 6% are still receiving funds through Pakistan Post. BISP is in the process of shifting gradually to BVS from all of current payment modes.
As Battagram was one of the areas hit by earthquake on October 08, 2005 and Chairperson BISP was present there on the 11th anniversary of earthquake, she expressed her sympathies and solidarity with the bereaved families of Battagram who suffered losses due to the earthquake.
