LAHORE, Jan 28: The City District Government of Lahore on Monday declared production of vaccination cards mandatory for issuance of birth certificates of children as well as their admission in schools.

“The birth certificates of children will be issued subject to production of their vaccination cards by the parents/guardians before the union council secretaries. Similarly, the admission of children will not be accepted by any government or private school until submission of vaccination cards by the parents/guardians,” DCO Noorul Amin Mengal said on Monday while presiding over a meeting on expanded programme on immunisation (vaccination of polio, measles, hepatitis B and C and tuberculosis).

Mengal directed the assistant director (local government) to convey the instructions to secretaries of all 150 union councils of the provincial capital in writing. He also asked the executive district officer (education) to coordinate with schools and inform them of the decision.

He sought vaccination of all children to prevent measles, tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C and polio. “The district Health Department should make all static centres well-equipped with necessary instruments and required dozes of various vaccinations for children,” he said, directing the officials to display banners, signboards and billboards at prominent spots to create awareness among the general public in this regard.

He asked town administrators to hold meetings twice a week to review the activities of vaccinators working under the EPI. “All vaccinators should wear jackets bearing reflected EPI messages so parents can recognise them easily.” He asked the EDO to depute vaccinators at hospitals, Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Rural Health Centres (RHCs) and ensure presence of CDC supervisors and sanitary inspectors along with the vaccinators to make performance of the static centres excellent.

“The CDGL needs 100 per cent results in the vaccination of children, and there will be no compromise in this regard,” the DCO warned. He expressed displeasure over the covering of around 80 per cent children in various vaccinations, except polio. Earlier, District Officer (Health) Dr Saeed briefed the participants about the EPI, expressing displeasure over poor performance of Samanabad Town Administration on covering 69 per cent children.

BUILDINGS: LDA’s Town Planning Wing demolished 23 structures built in violation of building by-laws.

During the operation on Raiwind Road, the LDA staff demolished a marriage hall near Bibi Jan Stop, a showroom near Chumbro Pind Stop and four shops as well as a big hall near Jati Umrah Stop. On Defence Road near Katcha Phatak, the staff demolished two plazas, a marriage hall, five shops and an office hall.

While taking action against illegal constructions in private housing schemes, six shops were demolished on Plot No 111 of Architect Society and an illegal basement on Plot No 12 A of Ali Town.

CRICKET: The CDGL on Monday announced holding of an inter-town cricket tournament from Feb 6 to 23 under the aegis of the District Sports Department.

During a press conference, the DCO told reporters the purpose of holding this mega event was to promote sports activities in the city.

“There will be nine teams of towns and one of the CDGL that will participate in the sports gala,” he added. He said matches would be played on T20 pattern, adding Rs1.5 million had been allocated for the event.

“The CDGL will award cash prizes of Rs500,000, Rs300,000 and Rs200,000 to the teams securing first, second and third positions, respectively. Similarly, we will also give cash prizes to the man of the match, best bowler and best batsman,” he explained.

PROMOTION: On recommendations of the Departmental Promotion Committee, LDA on Monday promoted 57 officials to various grades, according to a spokesman.