Minister of State in the President’s
Office (Regional Administration and Local Governments), George
Simbachawene, told the National Assembly here yesterday that the
programme that aimed at supporting poor families was shrouded by many
cheats and frauds.
Under the programme, TASAF extends
financial supports to poor households that can hardly afford essential
social services like education and health care.
“Unfortunately, we had even teachers
enlisted as beneficiaries of these grants,” said the minister, noting
that stern disciplinary measures have been taken against those behind
the deceits.
He was answering a question by Sabreena
Sungura (Special Seats - Chadema) who sought the government
intervention, charging that TASAF fund was benefiting the undeserved at
the expense of the targeted poor.
The minister said TASAF has already
reviewed the list of registered households, with physical inspections of
the houses to ensure that only qualified poor households remain in the
programme, describing the verification exercise as sustainable and
permanent.
As of May 30, 2016 all the 161 areas of
the programme implementation in 159 councils of the mainland, Unguja and
Pemba were visited, with 25,446 households removed from the programme.
He said the programme that started in
November 2013 has so far registered 1.1 million households, which
receive grants through transfers subject to meeting the criteria of
sending children to schools and clinics as well as participating in
public works.
Mr Simbachawene however challenged the
programme beneficiaries to strive to stand on their own, saying the aid
was not permanent but only a strategy to help them increase incomes and
opportunities while improving consumption
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