LAHORE: Adminis-trators and senior officials of all town municipal administrations have been entrusted with the task of monitoring water tankers being operated by Wasa and Parks and Horticulture Authority during the ongoing hot weather and the upcoming Ramazan.

CDGL Administrator/DCO retired Capt Muhammad Usman issued the direction in a meeting held here on Thursday to review and discuss problems, arrangements and action plan in view of the water crisis situation in various parts of the provincial metropolis.

Since the city is in a grip of severe water crisis these days, the complaints regarding water supply continue to grow, making officials panicky.

“There are 34 water tankers -- 24 owned by Wasa and 10 by PHA. They are being used for supplying water to people in those areas where the situation is serious.

Therefore, all town administrators are required to monitor tankers’ operation personally. They should also check status and operation of hundreds of Wasa tubewells installed in different localities with immediate effect so as to ensure provision of water to people,” said the DCO.

He directed the Wasa administration to install generators at all tubewells so that citizens could be provided potable water during the loadshedding hours as well.

On the occasion, the CDGL and Wasa jointly issued three toll-free phone numbers -- 0340-1112345, 0800-02345 and 1334 -- so that the people could get their complaints registered regarding water shortage and other issues.

Wasa Vice-Chairman Chaudhry Shahbaz Ahmad said the attendance of all operational/field staff of the agency would also be checked.

“Respective MPAs have also been asked to visit their constituencies and help Wasa in ensuring water supply to citizens,” he added.

PFA: Teams of the Punjab Food Authority on Thursday continued sealing food outlets and premises for flouting hygiene standards and rules/regulations.

According to a spokesperson, a special PFA team headed by Director (Operations) Ayesha Mumtaz sealed Eato Snacks and Al-Sheikh Juice Corner in Samanabad.

Teams of Data Ganj Bakhsh and Allama Iqbal towns sealed Riaz Sweets, Bismillah Milk Shop, Kala Gujjar Milk Shop and Premier Drinking Water Plant in Sanda and Multan Road areas.

Officials in Ravi, Wagah and Nishtar towns issued improvement notices and imposed fines on Malik Munawwar Sweets, Ikram Sweets, Malik Hotel, Hanif Hotel, Mashallah Hotel, Anam Bakery, Makki Foods and Al-Shifa Foods in areas of Akbari Mandi, Lorry Adda, Zarar Shaheed Road and Kamahan Road.

Meanwhile, various CDGL price control magistrates got arrested 79 shopkeepers and imposed a fine of Rs23,000 on others for overcharging, hoarding and selling substandard commodities.

The CDGL’s transport wing imposed heavy fines on various goods’ transporters for overloading and plying heavy vehicles in various parts of the city, according to a spokesman.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2016