Daily Times

LAHORE: Punjab Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said on Thursday that 100 percent cleanliness work would be ensured across the province and solid waste institutions have only a three days deadline to resolve their issues.

He said that until the purchase of new machinery, instruments should be taken on rent but there would be no relaxation to provide a clean atmosphere to the citizens at any cost.

The senior minister expressed these views while presiding over a special meeting of all the heads of solid waste management companies in Lahore. The senior minister gave the timeline of two days to call all the employees back who are working at the residences of officers or political persons, otherwise such ghost workers would be no more in service. Abdul Aleem Khan expressed concern over the incompetence of working in Gujranwala, Multan and Faisalabad and asked for immediate steps in this regard. He said that after October 1, 2018, he himself would be visiting all the cities and stern action would be taken against those who are neglect their duties. He said that these solid waste management companies will have to work on a sustainable structure because the Punjab government cannot bear loss of billions of rupees on permanent basis. Aleem Khan said professionally capable persons should be engaged to work in these civic institutions so that citizens can be provided with the best possible services as per their aspirations. Aleem said that “we cannot continue mal practices of the last government and we have to ensure real good governance”.

The senior minister asked the officers to work without any pressure and come in the field and check to resolve the issues on the spot. Aleem also directed to take stern action in the anti encroachment drive being started all over the province and said that steps should be taken without any discrimination. He said that “we all are answerable to Prime Minister Imran Khan and to act upon his vision, we all would have to work day and night”.

He said that no further meeting in this regard would take place and now practical steps are needed to give practical results. The senior minister said that real issues are of efficiency and everyone working with national zeal and fervour would be fully encouraged and given all possible facilities. Aleem said that he himself would be monitoring this task of cleanliness and no stone would be left unturned in this regard.

He was also given briefing by the heads of solid waste management companies of Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan and Bahawalpur who apprised him about their basic issues. Local Government Secretary Arif Anwar Baloch gave an overall presentation of the waste management institutions and present status to resolve their problems as well. It is worth mentioning that performance of Bahawalpur Waste Management Institution was declared satisfactory while all other companies were having a number of issues on which they were given a three day deadline to take immediate steps in this regard.

Published in Daily Times, September 28^th 2018.