The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, has introduced a helpful program called the Punjab Ration Card Program 2025-26. This program is made for poor and low-income families in Punjab. Through this scheme, each family will receive Rs 3000 every month to buy daily food items like flour, oil, and sugar. Around 1250000 families will be supported in the first stage. The total budget set for this project is Rs 40 billion. The program was launched on 29 April 2025, and the monthly financial aid will begin from 1 July 2025.
| Feature | Detail |
| Monthly Aid | Rs 3000 per family |
| Total Families Helped | 1250000 (first phase) |
| Total Budget | Rs 40 billion |
| Card Usage | Grocery & Utility Shops |
Maryam Nawaz Ration Card Budget in Punjab 2025-26 – Program Start and Budget
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has officially started the Punjab Ration Card Budget 2025-26 with a total amount of Rs 40 billion. The goal of this program is to help families who cannot buy food due to low income. The announcement was made on 29 April 2025. The monthly aid will begin from 1 July 2025. Instead of cash, the amount will be added to a digital smart card, which can be used to buy food items at approved grocery and utility stores. This system will make the process transparent and easy for all families involved.
See Also: Punjab Ration Card Scheme
Maryam Nawaz Ration Card Budget in Punjab 2025-26 – Who Can Apply
To apply for the ration card, the family must live in Punjab and be registered in the PSER (Punjab Socio-Economic Registry). The total income of the family should be less than Rs 50000, and the PMT score must be below 35. People who work for the government or receive help from BISP are not allowed to apply. Only one person from each family can apply, whether male or female. Also, the CNIC and mobile number must be active and must match the information in the system. People who do not own property or file taxes are also eligible.
See Also: Eligible Criteria for CM Punjab Rashan Card
Maryam Nawaz Ration Card Budget in Punjab 2025-26 – Main Benefits
The ration card program gives several benefits to poor families who struggle with basic needs. It helps them buy essential items like flour and sugar every month without difficulty.
Key Benefits:
- Monthly Financial Support: Families will receive Rs 3000 every month to buy ration items.
- Discounted Grocery Items: Items like rice, sugar, flour, ghee, and oil will be available at lower prices.
- No Waiting Lines: People do not need to stand in long queues or wait for hours to receive food.
- Smart Card System: The card works at utility stores and registered karyana shops with digital payment.
This system is simple, modern, and makes sure that the help reaches only the deserving families in a fair way.
Maryam Nawaz Ration Card Budget in Punjab 2025-26 – How to Apply
Families can apply for the ration card in two ways: online or offline. The online process will be managed through the PSER website. People must register using their CNIC, mobile number, and home address. They also need to provide details like monthly income, health conditions, and family members. After submitting the form, their application will be checked. To confirm eligibility, people can send their CNIC number to 8123 by SMS. For offline applications, people can visit their nearest Union Council or Khidmat Markaz. They must carry their CNIC and phone to get help filling out the form. No fee is required.
Maryam Nawaz Ration Card Budget in Punjab 2025-26 – Who Is Already Included
Some people are already included in the system from a previous program called the Nigehban Ramadan Package. These families do not need to apply again for the new ration card. The government is using their old data to save time and speed up the process.
Why This Helps:
- Faster Distribution: Cards can be given without delay to families already verified.
- Avoiding Duplicate Records: This step ensures that families don’t register more than once.
- More Coverage: Saves government resources and allows more people to benefit.
Such families only need to make sure their data is correct and up to date.
Maryam Nawaz Ration Card Budget in Punjab 2025-26 – Where to Use the Card
Once the card is approved, Rs 3000 will be transferred to it every month. This smart card can be used to buy household food items. The card will be accepted at utility stores, registered karyana shops, and at special Ehsas Rashan Centers. These places will have banners or QR codes showing they are part of the program. The card helps people shop near their homes without needing to carry cash. This method also protects the users from fraud, as all transactions are recorded in the system for safety and fairness.
Conclusion
In this article, we are sharing all the details about the Maryam Nawaz Ration Card Budget in Punjab 2025-26. The program was created to support 1250000 poor families by giving Rs 3000 per month for basic food needs. A total amount of Rs 40 billion has been planned for this scheme. Monthly aid begins from 1 July 2025. Families who meet the income and PSER rules can apply online or offline. People already included in the Nigehban Package will get the card automatically. The card can be used at different stores across Punjab, making it easy and helpful for many.
FAQ
Can renters in Punjab apply for the ration card?
Yes, renters can apply if they live in Punjab and meet the income and registry conditions.
Is there any fee to apply for the ration card?
No, the application process is free of cost both online and offline.
How can someone correct mistakes in their PSER data?
They should go to the nearest Khidmat Markaz to update or correct their details.
Will this program continue after 2025-26?
The government has not announced any end date, so it may continue or expand based on results.