LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered strict action against officials and companies responsible for delays in payments to Suthra Punjab workers, poor sanitation and lapses in waste management operations across the province.
The chief minister directed that salaries of Suthra Punjab workers must be paid before the fifth of every month. Following her instructions, payments have already been completed for 149 out of 151 Suthra Punjab workers, while immediate legal action has been ordered against companies failing to ensure timely payments.
Maryam Nawaz also directed the authorities to strengthen monitoring of sanitation operations in both urban and rural areas. She ordered the Managing Directors of the Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASAs) to spend at least two hours in the field every day, while TMOs and FMOs were instructed to visit at least five union councils daily and personally review cleanliness arrangements.
An anti-littering squad will be activated at every divisional headquarters. Equipped with electric bikes, the squads will monitor roads, streets, neighbourhoods and markets and take action against littering.
The chief minister further directed that Suthra Punjab workers must carry garbage bags during their field duties, following the cleanliness model adopted in Murree.
She expressed serious displeasure over reports of staff and workers being absent from their duties and ordered the submission of regular attendance reports. She also directed that negligence, irregularities and corruption in sanitation operations be dealt with through strict legal action.
Maryam Nawaz ordered authorities to ensure the cleaning of vacant plots along roads and in residential areas, regular cleaning of waste enclosures and immediate repair of damaged walls and doors. She also directed officials to ensure the proper maintenance of mechanical sweepers and conduct daily reviews of their operational condition.
Immediate legal action was also ordered against the companies responsible for failing to pay workers in Rajanpur and Chobara.
To improve drainage, the chief minister directed authorities to continue desilting operations and ensure prompt resolution of public complaints regarding sanitation and waste management.
She also ordered the formulation of key performance indicators (KPIs) for the Managing Director of Suthra Punjab, FMOs and TMOs. She warned that poor performance would have serious consequences, adding that the Managing Director of Suthra Punjab would not be given another posting for three years in case of unsatisfactory performance.
Maryam Nawaz said she would personally monitor the performance reports of Suthra Punjab companies in every city.
“Corruption and negligence in Suthra Punjab operations will not be tolerated,” she said, expressing concern over waste-filled enclosures along major roads.
She stressed that the performance of the Suthra Punjab programme should improve every day and said officials could not remain confined to offices while drawing salaries.
“Suthra Punjab is a valuable programme aimed at providing public convenience, cleanliness and social services,” the chief minister said, directing all concerned departments and companies to ensure visible improvements in cleanliness across Punjab.
Also Read: NDMA, UNICEF Train Scout Leaders to Strengthen Disaster Resilience Across Pakistan