LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved a Rs. 50,000 fine for people found dumping sacrificial animals’ waste and remains in streets and neighbourhoods during Eidul Azha. The decision was taken during a video-link meeting chaired by the chief minister to review Eid cleanliness arrangements, here on Saturday. The CM directed authorities to ensure foolproof cleanliness arrangements across the province. A vigilance squad was also constituted to prevent and monitor the dumping of animal waste and remains at prohibited places, besides launching a comprehensive awareness campaign to discourage citizens from disposing of waste at unauthorised locations.
During the briefing, 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 would establish 3,800 primary collection centres, designate 3,100 dumping sites and set up 7,000 dumping points for disposal of animal remains. The CM directed officials to ensure special cleaning and monitoring of drains, canals and public places in every city, besides maintaining cleanliness in private housing societies. She also ordered cleanliness arrangements in railway colonies and cantonment areas along with special cleaning operations in 2,687 major commercial markets across Punjab. “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 the briefing, Provincial Minister for Local Government 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 would be provided biodegradable shopping bags for disposal of animal waste, while Suthra Punjab teams would conduct door-to-door collection operations. Additional loader rickshaws would also be deployed in municipal corporations, tehsils and union councils.
On the chief minister’s directives, rose water would be sprayed at Eid prayer congregations and mosques. Suthra Punjab teams would remain active before Eid, on Eid day and until the third day of Eidul Azha. The meeting was further 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 would also 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, would be utilised during the operation. Control rooms would be set up in the offices of deputy commissioners, managing directors of WASA and municipal corporations, while citizens could register complaints through the Suthra Punjab helpline 1139. Officials informed the meeting that a system had also 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.
