What is the Ration Card Scheme for mines workers?

The “Ration Card Scheme for Mine Workers” is a dedicated welfare initiative launched by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and the Punjab provincial government. Specifically designed for registered mining sector laborers, it provides ongoing food and economic support through digital ration cards.

Key Features of the Mine Workers Ration Card Scheme

What it provides:

Monthly subsidy of Rs 3,000 to each eligible mine worker, for essential groceries and food items.

Packaged as the “Maryam Nawaz Ration Card”, aimed at providing dignified, direct relief rather than one-time charity.

Initially issued to 40,000 registered mine workers, with government plans to scale up to 80,000 beneficiaries .

Delivery mechanism:

Subsidy credited via a JS Bank-issued smart/Zindagi card, usable at designated retail/outlet points and utility stores.
The smart card also enables additional benefits—such as advance salary access, insurance, reward points, and digital transaction tracking. Beneficiaries also receive 13 supplementary services linked to the card.

Eligibility & Implementation Context

Target group: Mine workers formally registered with the Mines & Minerals Department and Social Security system in Punjab.
Priority inclusion: Particularly workers from lower-income backgrounds, including those from districts like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa residing in Punjab cities.
Program launch: Formally unveiled on or around April 29–30, 2025, ahead of Labour Day celebrations; monthly support began shortly thereafter.

Broader Significance

This scheme is part of Punjab’s wider Rs 84-billion welfare package targeting industrial and mining laborers, positioning it as the largest provincial ration card effort in history.
It reflects a policy shift toward human-centered governance, wherein public welfare and social justice are prioritized alongside physical infrastructure and development.

Final Takeaway

The mine workers’ ration card scheme is not merely a subsidy—it is a structured, technology-driven program aimed at delivering dignified support for registered miner laborers. It provides essential monthly grocery assistance, integrates with social security frameworks, and underscores the Punjab government’s commitment to worker welfare and economic dignity.

Who announced the ration card facility for mine workers?

The ration card facility for mine workers — officially titled the “Maryam Nawaz Ration Card” scheme — was launched under the direction of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, but formally inaugurated by the Provincial Minister for Mines, Sher Ali Gorchani, at a ceremony organized by Punjab’s Mines & Minerals Department.

Roles Involved:

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif approved and endorsed the scheme, directing its design and implementation as part of a major pro‑labour welfare agenda.
Sher Ali Gorchani, Minister for Mines & Minerals, presided over the launch event and presented the initiative publicly.
Parvez Iqbal Butt, Secretary of Mines & Minerals, announced supporting welfare allocations (e.g. increase of welfare fund from Rs 700 million to Rs 3 billion) and additional benefits like laptops, e‑bikes, and scholarships for miners’ children.

Summary:

The CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif Ration Card scheme was a top-down initiative endorsed by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, with Sher Ali Gorchani formally announcing and inaugurating the ration card facility for registered mine workers during the launch ceremony.

What is the purpose of providing ration cards to mine workers?

The purpose of providing ration cards to mine workers under the Maryam Nawaz Ration Card Scheme is to offer financial relief, food security, and social dignity to a vulnerable labor group that often works in harsh and risky environments with minimal access to regular welfare support.

Core Objectives of the Ration Card for Mine Workers

1. Alleviate economic hardship

Mine workers typically earn low wages and lack stable incomes.
The Rs 3,000 monthly ration subsidy helps them afford essential groceries and cope with rising inflation and living costs.

Enhance food security

Many mine workers live below the poverty line or in precarious conditions.
The ration card ensures consistent access to basic food items, reducing the risk of hunger or undernourishment for their families.

Recognize and support hazardous labor

Mining is one of the most dangerous and physically demanding jobs.
The ration card is part of a broader effort to acknowledge their contributions and provide dignified support, especially as these workers often go unrecognized in traditional welfare systems.

Strengthen labor welfare infrastructure

The ration card scheme is linked to broader reforms, such as:
- Smart card integration (for banking, insurance, and social security access)
- Educational scholarships for miners’ children
- Increased welfare fund for mine workers (from Rs 700 million to Rs 3 billion)
These measures aim to institutionalize labor protection in the mining sector.

Reduce dependency on irregular aid

Unlike ad hoc charity or seasonal relief, the ration card provides a stable monthly benefit, promoting self-respect and planning among mine workers.

Bottom Line:

The ration card scheme for mine workers is a strategic intervention to reduce poverty, enhance well-being, and recognize labor rights in one of Punjab’s most underserved sectors. It blends economic relief with social dignity, signaling a shift toward inclusive governance and worker-centered welfare under CM Maryam Nawaz’s administration.

Which department is responsible for issuing these ration cards?

The Mines & Minerals Department of the Government of Punjab is responsible for administering and issuing the ration cards under the Maryam Nawaz Ration Card scheme for mine workers. According to official reports, the inauguration of the program was conducted under the aegis of this department, with the Minister for Mines, Sher Ali Gorchani, overseeing the launch event and state officials, including Secretary Parvez Iqbal Butt, confirming the department’s central role in managing the distribution and welfare aspects.

The Mines Labour Welfare Commissioner’s office in Punjab also plays a support role in providing labor welfare services and coordinating implementation logistics

The department is responsible for identifying eligible beneficiaries, coordinating smart-card issuance, maintaining distribution lists, and handling associated welfare fund disbursement and monitoring.

Quick Summary:

Entity	Role in Ration Card Scheme
Mines & Minerals Department	Lead department organizing launch, beneficiary identification, and smart-card distribution
Mines Minister & Secretary	Sher Ali Gorchani (Minister) and Parvez Iqbal Butt (Secretary) formally announced and oversaw scheme rollout
Mines Labour Welfare Commissioner	Supports recovery, welfare coordination, and service delivery tracking for workers

So to answer succinctly: the Punjab Mines & Minerals Department, backed by its ministerial leadership and the Mines Labour Welfare Commissioner, is the official department responsible for issuing and managing these ration cards.

Who is eligible for the mines workers ration card scheme?

Here’s who qualifies for the Mines Workers Ration Card Scheme under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s initiative in Punjab:

Eligibility Criteria for Mine Workers

1. Registered Mine Workers

Must be registered with the Mines & Minerals Department of Punjab.
Coverage initiated with around 40,000 workers, with plans to expand up to 80,000 mine workers
Social Security Registration

Applicants should be registered in the Punjab social security system or Mines Labour Welfare Board.
Valid Social Security registration marks inclusion in the formal beneficiary list

Permanent Punjab Residents

Worker must be a permanent resident of Punjab province

CNIC & Mobile Registration
- A valid NADRA-issued CNIC, linked to a properly-registered mobile phone number for verification via PSER and scheme portal
PSER (Poverty Registry) Entry
- Household should have completed the PSER (Punjab Socio‑Economic Registry) survey.
- Must hold a Poverty Means Test (PMT) score below approximately 35%—indicating low income
Individuals already receiving aid from programs like BISP, NSER, or other provincial relief schemes are ineligible, to prevent duplication

Summary Table

Eligibility Requirement	Details
Sector Registration	Registered worker under Mines & Minerals Department
Social Welfare Registration	Included under Social Security / Welfare Board
Residency	Permanent resident of Punjab
Identity Verification	Valid CNIC + registered mobile phone
Poverty Assessment	Completed PSER survey; PMT score below ~35%
Exclusion from other aid	Not currently benefiting from other govt subsidy programs

Final Takeaway:

To be eligible for the Mine Workers Ration Card Scheme, a mine laborer must be formally registered with the Mines & Minerals Department, enrolled in social security, reside in Punjab, hold a valid CNIC, have passed the PSER poverty assessment (with a low score), and not be receiving other government financial assistance.

How can mine workers apply for ration cards?

Here’s how registered mine workers in Punjab can apply for the Maryam Nawaz Ration Card under the February 2025–launched welfare scheme:

Step‑by‑Step Application Process

1. Complete the PSER Survey

Being registered in the Punjab Socio‑Economic Registry (PSER) is mandatory before applying
If not already done, mine workers must:

Visit the official PSER portal (pser.punjab.gov.pk) or a PSER registration center/Khidmat Markaz.
Create an account using valid CNIC, mobile number, and basic personal details.
Fill out household info, assets, income, address, etc., and submit for verification.

Ensure Eligibility Criteria Are Met

Applicants must:

Be registered mine workers under Punjab Mines & Minerals and Social Security systems.
Be permanent residents of Punjab.
Have a Poverty Means Test (PMT) score below 35%.
Not currently be enrolled in other provincial relief schemes (e.g. BISP, Nigheban Ramzan)

Submit the Application

Once PSER registration is complete and eligibility is confirmed:

Applications open from May 1, 2025.
If income and criteria are confirmed, the applicant gets selected in screening.
Only one application per household is accepted; the main family head should apply

Receive and Use the Ration Card

Once approved, applicants receive a digital ration card.
For mine workers, the subsidy is disbursed through a JS Bank “Zindagi” smart card, offering:

Rs 3,000 monthly grocery credit,
Digital cash services, insurance, and related micro‑benefits for labor welfare
Cardholder benefits include 20% discounted prices on essentials such as flour, sugar, pulses, cooking oil, etc

Quick Reference Table

Step	Action Required
1. PSER Survey	Register via PSER portal or offline center using CNIC, mobile number, and family data
2. Eligibility Check	Meet criteria: registered miner, PMT score < 35%, not on other aid, Punjab resident
3. Apply Starting May 1	Apply online/offline once PSER is complete; only 1 application per household
4. Card Issuance & Use	Receive digital ration card; use JS Zindagi smart card to get monthly subsidy

Important Notes & FAQs

No application fee is charged—registration and processing are free and handled by government channels only.
Ensure accurate information submission (especially CNIC, mobile number, land/asset details); errors often cause rejection.
If already received aid under programs like the Ramzan package, additional registration may not be required.

Final Word:

Mine workers in Punjab can apply for ration cards via the PSER registry—once eligible, they are issued a digital JS Bank smart card that provides Rs 3,000/month grocery subsidy and other welfare benefits.

Ration Cards for Mines Workers