SARGODHA: Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique has announced the launch of the second and third phases of the Suthra Punjab programme, following the “success” of its initial phase. These phases will concurrently implement similar activities across both rural and urban areas.

Under the second phase, a sanitation worker will be assigned to every 250 households, tasked with street cleaning, garbage collection, and maintaining drainage systems. This contractual arrangement will be managed at the tehsil level and digitally monitored to ensure efficiency. Garbage collected from homes, neighborhoods, and markets will initially be deposited at temporary collection points.

Minister Rafique shared these plans during a meeting held at the Commissioner’s office in Sargodha. Present at the meeting were Commissioner Muhammad Ajmal Bhatti, Deputy Commissioner retired Captain Aurangzeb Haider Khan, director of local government, as well as MPAs and MNAs and other municipal officials.

At the ward level, committees comprising five members will be formed in every village and city. These committees, which will include a teacher, lady health visitor, mosque imam, and two local representatives, will be responsible for overseeing cleanliness efforts and addressing grievances within their respective areas.A proposal to levy a fee of Rs100 for houses smaller than five marla in villages and Rs300 in cities is under consideration.

In the third phase of the programme, emphasis will be placed on the effective utilization of garbage collected at the village and ward levels. Large-scale units will be established in each division to separate organic waste for fertilizer and energy production. Recyclable materials such as glass and plastic will be salvaged, while the remaining 20 percent of waste will be disposed of at designated dumping sites.

Minister Rafique called the Suthra Punjab a revolutionary programme, initiated by the PML-N government, as the first comprehensive solid waste management initiative in 76 years of the country.

He said that due to the absence of a comprehensive solid waste management system in Punjab, the infrastructure has deteriorated significantly. Rural areas lack essential municipal services, while in cities, sewage systems are failing, and access to clean drinking water is limited. He said the recycling of garbage could give rise to a new industry, creating over 100,000 jobs in local transport and related sectors. Also, the tax revenue generated from these activities could be reinvested in the welfare of the people. The amount of solid waste produced in Punjab daily - 57,500 tons - far exceeds the capacity of municipal bodies to remove it, resulting in approximately 39,000 tons of waste accumulating each day.

He announced the preparation of a proposal for a solid waste company in Sargodha, scheduled for approval at the next provincial cabinet meeting. Collaboration with the World Bank will facilitate the completion of water supply and extraction projects in 16 cities by March, with Sargodha included in the second phase.

The provincial minister said he was satisfied with the progress of ongoing projects and praised the exemplary performance of the commissioner and his team. During his visit to Kot Imrana and Nasirpur Khard villages, he reviewed the progress of water supply projects and urged timely completion of the work.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2024