Aleem Khan Approves Waste Management & Rural Sanitation Project

Sumaira FH Published January 19, 2019 | 09:48 PM

Punjab Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has approved the launching of waste management and rural sanitation project initially for 72 villages of the province, two villages would be selected from each district

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jan, 2019 ) :Punjab Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has approved the launching of waste management and rural sanitation project initially for 72 villages of the province, two villages would be selected from each district.

Chairing a meeting here at 90-Shahrahe Quaid-i-Azam, Aleem Khan said that the project would be run on sustainable basis for which community participation would also be ensured. He said that nominal service charges would also be applicable and on the basis of population, units would be formed.

The senior minister also approved three-member rickshaw team for each village to collect garbage from there. He also approved extending the programme to all villages of Punjab in the next phase. Unfortunately, there was no such system for the sanitation of rural areas in Punjab and people were discarding their garbage on self-help basis, he said and mentioned that improper arrangements resulted in pollution and bad impact on vegetables and crops.

Abdul Aleem Khan said that as per directions of Prime Minister Imran Khan, comprehensive rural sanitation programme had been evolved for which practical steps would be taken soon.

The minister said that sanitary workers' salary should not be less than Rs 20,000. He also ordered for ensuring effective monitoring of the sanitation programme in villages of Punjab. He said that local members of parliament should also be taken into the loop to make the programme more beneficial and their suggestions in this regard would also be considered.

The senior minister said, "Gradually, we have to move towards waste-to-energy projects to process garbage and ensure healthy environment in the province." He announced visit to different districts to inspect on-ground situation in villages for the rural sanitation programme.

The minister was briefed by Secretary Local Bodies Capt (retd) Saif Anjum about the programme. Director General Local Bodies Mahmood Javed Bhatti and other officers concerned were also present.