Annual development programmes for 12 districts okayed
Maryam Nawaz. - Reuters/file
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the annual development programme of 12 districts of the province.
She was presiding over a meeting attended by all divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners from across the province in which the district annual development programmes were reviewed along with the beautification initiatives and anti-encroachment operations.
The development programmes for the remaining districts will be reviewed on Tuesday.
The chief minister said on the occasion, "Eliminating encroachments and maintaining the standard of cleanliness is a big challenge. The commissioners and DCs have been given complete freedom to perform their duties. No one is allowed to influence their decisions. The assembly members also appreciate improvement in all social and other sectors in their districts."
She added, "A comprehensive crackdown against corruption must be carried out so as to stamp it out permanently. It was decided to ensure sustainable uplifting of the roads, markets and bazaars of all tehsils in the province."
She directed the officials to construct model rickshaw stands in every city.
She also directed them to ensure payment to the owners for land acquisition at market rates and to carry out CCTV monitoring of government land retrieved after the elimination of encroachments.
The chief minister ordered the establishment of sports areas and urban forests on the retrieved and available government land in the cities across Punjab.
She directed the administration officers to conduct daily visits to ensure the elimination of encroachments along with inspecting lane marking on the roads to prevent temporary encroachments.
She ordered the removal of electric poles from the roads and construction of tuff tile footpaths along the newly constructed roads.
The chief minister ordered the transfer of grain, fruit and vegetable markets outside the cities along with their uniform uplifting. She directed the officials to install planters and theme lighting on overhead bridges.