Daily Times

RAWALPINDI: Lack of manpower is badly affecting the performance of the Environment Protection Agency Rawalpindi.

More than 22 posts are reportedly laying vacant in the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) in Rawalpindi. The vacant posts include three assistant directors, two clerks, three drivers, seven inspectors and seven field assistants.

A senior officials of the EPA wishing anonymity told Daily Timesthat the district office of the EPA does not have even a single clerk for the maintenance of office record. Every officer maintains his own record and keeps it in his own custody, which hampers an effective coordination and management.Due to the lack of manpower and financial resources, attendance in court cases is the only priority of the officials, he added.

However, the officials of the EPA are hopeful that the current government will take steps to improve the situation. For the first time in the history of Pakistan, any prime minister has shown concerns regarding protection of environment and has constituted a committee for policy making to deal with environment issues, they opine.

11,000 issued challans for not wearing helmet in Rawalpindi: The Rawalpindi traffic police issued challans to more than 11,000 bike riders last week for not using the hamlets.

According to spokesperson of the City Traffic Police, the police issued challans to 11,065 bike riders during the last week and collected a revenue of Rs2.2 million. Three bikes were also impounded in different police stations of Rawalpindi for not having complete documents.

To raise awareness among the motorcyclists about the use of helmet, Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Muhammad Bin Ashraf distributed free hamlets and awareness pamphlet among the citizens at different points in the city. Talking to media persons, the CTO said the main reason of death of bikers in accidents is not wearing a helmet while riding a bike, and that is why the authorities have taken serious notice of the issue and are also providing free helmets to the citizens.

The CTO said stern action would be taken against pillion riding and those not wearing helmets because these were the main reasons behind accidents and an ever increasing number of deaths on roads during the last few years. He said the chance of fatal injuries occurring during accidents increases in the absence of a helmet.

Meanwhile, citizens have shown concerns on undue hike in the prices of helmets due to the improper checking and monitoring by the department concerned. They said the department concerned failed to control the price hike in the market which created more burden on the people who are already sufferingfrom hike in prices of electricity, gas, other utility bills and daily needs of life.

According to the citizens, the shopkeepers were already charging exorbitant rates of helmets. They said a helmet was being sold for Rs 300 to Rs 1000 for a low quality manufacture, but after the restrictions the price has doubled. He said due to the price hike, incidents of helmet theft are also being reported.

Published in Daily Times, November 12^th 2018.