Ensure hygiene during Eid holidays: Shahbaz

Chief minister says three districts each with best and worst sanitation measures should be identified

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif directed officials concerned on Monday to ensure proper disposal of offal and other animal waste during Eid holidays. He said no negligence would be tolerated in this regard. Stern action would be taken on complaints received from citizens about waste lying dumped in open spaces, he added.

He was speaking at a meeting to review arrangements for public hygiene, security at public places and smooth flow of traffic during Eid holidays.

The chief minister directed that staff of the Solid Waste Management departments should remain alert to ensure proper cleanliness in their areas. He said three districts with best hygiene during the Eid holidays would be recognised for their achievement. He said the three districts with worst hygiene arrangements should also be identified.

Sharif said strict enforcement of a ban on burning of animal skulls and trotters in open spaces should be ensured. He said stern action should be taken against violators.

Waste Management officials distributing bags to dispose of offal and sacrificial waste in. PHOTOS: NAVEEN BOKHARI/EXPRESS

He said the Lahore Waste Management Company’s model should be implemented in other urban areas of the province. He gave officials concerned a month to present a plan for capacity building of these companies.

The chief minister said a large number of families visited parks during the Eid holidays. No effort should be spared to provide best recreational facilities to the citizens, he added. He said teams should be formed to monitor prices and quality of edibles sold at parks and to check if rides installed there were operational. He said special attention should be paid to security arrangements at parks.

The chief minister said plans should be prepared for smooth flow of traffic in areas expected to attract large crowds.

Sharif also reviewed arrangements made to facilitate dealers and customers at cattle markets. He asked officials concerned to ensure that permanent sheds had been built at all cattle markets. He said the government had withdrawn all kinds of fees at cattle markets to facilitate vendors and customers.

Sharif said cattle trade should not be allowed at undesignated areas and strict action should be taken against those caught violating the rule. He praised the efforts of MNA Afzal Khokhar for setting up and overseeing affairs at cattle markets and model bazaars in various cities of the province. He asked the local government secretary to supervise all matters in this regard.

Earlier, the chief secretary, the Parks and Horticulture Authority director general and the Water and Sanitation Agency managing director gave briefings on arrangements made for the Eid holidays.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2016.