LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved a Rs50,000 fine for people found dumping sacrificial waste and animal remains in streets and neighbourhoods during Eidul Azha.
A vigilance squad has been constituted to prevent and monitor the dumping of animal waste and remains at prohibited places, while a comprehensive public awareness campaign has been ordered to discourage citizens from disposing of waste at unauthorised locations.
The decision was taken during a video-link meeting chaired by the chief minister to review foolproof cleanliness arrangements for Eidul Azha across the province. The meeting was informed that around 176,000 sanitary workers and over 8,000 temporary staffers would participate in the Eid cleanliness operation across Punjab. Authorities will establish 3,800 primary collection centres, designate 3,100 dumping sites and set up 7,000 dumping points for the disposal of animal remains.
The CM directed officials to ensure special cleaning and monitoring of drains, canals and other public places in every city, besides maintaining cleanliness in private housing societies. She ordered cleanliness arrangements in railway colonies and cantonment areas, along with special cleaning operations in 2,687 major commercial markets. “On Eidul Azha, all departments will have to work as one government unit for cleanliness arrangements,” the chief minister said, adding that outstanding performance would be rewarded while negligence and complaints would invite accountability.
During a briefing, Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique and Local Government Secretary Mian Shakeel Ahmed informed the meeting that commercial markets, main roads and roundabouts would be cleaned during the final hours of Chand Raat. Citizens will be provided biodegradable shopping bags for disposal of animal waste, while Suthra Punjab teams will carry out door-to-door collection operations. Additional loader rickshaws will be deployed in municipal corporations, tehsils and union councils. On the chief minister’s directives, rose water will be sprayed at Eid prayer congregations and mosques. Suthra Punjab teams will remain active during Eid.
The meeting was informed that 4,500 special camps would be established across Punjab for the Eid cleanliness operation, while special sanitation arrangements would be made at 1,200 designated collective sacrifice points. Suthra Punjab teams will be deployed at 285 cattle markets and 171 sale points across the province. More than 40,000 additional vehicles, including loader rickshaws, mini dumpers, tractor trolleys and pickup vehicles, will be utilised during the operation. Control rooms will be set up in the offices of deputy commissioners, managing directors of WASA and municipal corporations, while citizens can register complaints through Suthra Punjab helpline 1139.
Officials informed the meeting that a system has been established to collect information from 11 different sources for prompt resolution of cleanliness complaints. The chief minister directed authorities to ensure clearance of all collection points and disposal sites by the third day of Eidul Azha.
