Summary Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz ordered stricter monitoring, timely salaries and improved waste collection under Suthra Punjab, directing officials to strengthen cleanliness across the province.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered measures to improve the cleanliness system across the province under the Suthra Punjab Programme, including timely payment of workers' salaries, stronger field monitoring and better waste collection.
A special review meeting on Suthra Punjab, chaired by the chief minister in Lahore, reviewed the cleanliness situation across the province and assessed the programme's performance.
Maryam Nawaz ordered the use of uniform dustbins and garbage bags in markets, bazaars and commercial areas and directed that specific timings be fixed for waste collection from commercial areas.
She directed authorities to ensure the washing and cleaning of major roads by 5am and ordered the cleaning of vacant plots in different areas. She also instructed that door-to-door waste collection be ensured across the province.
The chief minister ordered that Suthra Punjab workers' salaries be paid by the fifth of every month and sought monthly reports from the relevant companies regarding salary payments. She directed immediate action in case of delays and ordered that outstanding payments to Suthra Punjab contractors be cleared at the earliest.
The meeting also directed that Additional Deputy Commissioners for Social Services be assigned responsibility for monitoring cleanliness conditions across the province. Maryam Nawaz ordered authorities to address shortages of sanitation workers and mechanical equipment according to the needs of different areas.
She directed officials to ensure cleanliness around schools, colleges, universities and hospitals, while also ordering the removal of empty mineral water bottles, juice cartons and other waste from parks and green belts.
The chief minister ordered special attention to cleanliness around railway tracks in urban areas, daily and timely cleaning of city entry and exit points, and improved sanitation at fruit and vegetable markets.
Maryam Nawaz directed deputy commissioners to maintain regular contact and hold meetings with relevant contractors and managing directors of water and sanitation agencies. She also ordered uniform uniforms for field monitoring officers and branding of their motorcycles.
The chief minister said standard operating procedures should be developed to assess performance at every level, from workers to officers, under the Suthra Punjab Programme, and called for a zero-tolerance policy against those failing to perform their duties.
She directed that contractors be given 24 hours to improve their performance before being fined for violations of the SOPs. She said imposing fines was not the government's objective, but ensuring cleanliness remained the primary goal.
Maryam Nawaz also directed regular cleaning of Suthra Punjab vehicles, containers and waste collection points, stressing that cleanliness of streets and neighbourhoods was as important as maintaining major roads.
She said Suthra Punjab was very close to her heart and more efforts were required to achieve further results.
During the meeting, the performance of Lahore, Khanewal, Okara, Attock, Kasur, Murree and other areas was appreciated, while Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sheikhupura and other areas were directed to improve their performance.
The chief minister has summoned another meeting after seven days to review implementation of her directives.
