CM orders village beautification

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the introduction of community-based organisations for the Model Village Project.

Chairing a meeting to review the project and receive a briefing on ongoing schemes, she was informed that sewerage, drainage and brick-paved street projects were progressing rapidly in over 3,500 villages across Punjab.

A decision was taken to involve assistant commissioners, community health mobilisers, union council secretaries, headmasters and other stakeholders in rural development projects.

It was agreed to assign members of the provincial assembly the responsibility of monitoring rural development projects.

The chief minister ordered that drainage and sewerage problems in villages across Punjab be solved on a priority basis and village streets be paved and beautified.

"I cannot see people suffering amid broken streets and stagnant, dirty water," she said.

"Providing drainage, sewerage and paved streets in every village is the government's responsibility. People living in rural areas also have an equal right to public resources," she added.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed her resolve to transform the condition of every village.

Chairing a meeting on the e-bike scheme, the chief minister rejected proposals of seeking a downpayment from students as well as charges other than the monthly instalments.

The Punjab government will bear the interest and insurance costs on the e-bikes.

It was agreed in principle to fix the monthly instalment for students at around Rs3,000.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz approved in principle a proposal to gradually expand the scheme to government employee and delivery riders.

The chief minister ordered that the e-bike portal be opened this week and arrangements made to provide e-bikes to eligible students within six weeks.

Helmets and safety rods will be provided free of charge along with the e-bikes under the scheme.