The Punjab government has decided to launch Khadim-e-Punjab Saaf Dehat Programme under which an elaborate system of cleanliness will be introduced at the level of the union councils in villages of Punjab. The programme had been launched under Rural Development Package for which Rs 2.5 million will be provided to 185 union councils each and Rs 500,000 to each ward of the union council for development schemes, said sources.
In this connection, a meeting was held here on Friday with Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in the chair. The meeting decided to launch the programme and also reviewed different matters pertaining to the local government development package and Khadim-e-Punjab Saaf Dehat Programme.
Provincial Ministers Mansha Ullah Butt, Malik Nadeem Kamran, Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Hamza Shehbaz Sharif MNA, special assistant Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan, Chief Secretary, Lord Mayor Lahore, Chairmen of District Councils of Narowal, Faisalabad and Sheikhupura as well as concerned officials attended the meeting. The DC and Commissioner of Sargodha Division also participated in the meeting through video link.
While addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that the programme will prove an important milestone in improving the system of cleanliness in villages. "This program will be carried out through the concerned local bodies and it will augur well for bringing a qualitative improvement in the lives of people living in villages. Due to neat and clean atmosphere, the people will remain safe from different diseases as an effective system of village cleanliness will be introduced," he added.
According to him, the cleanliness of villages like cities is their responsibility and an elaborate system is being introduced at the level of union councils in villages. Enjoying a neat and clean atmosphere is the right of the rural populace and they will be given this right through this programme."
He directed the concerned officials to devise a comprehensive mechanism to dispose of the solid waste in an effective manner. He said regular third-party audit of this program will be compulsory, adding that the districts showing exemplary performance under this programme will be encouraged by the government. He also directed that the process of cleanliness be completed in villages till the end of December. The provincial steering committee will regularly monitor the progress made on different aspects of the program to maintain general cleanliness in villages, he added.
Meanwhile, sources said that the Sargodha district has started the project. Under the programme, Rs 506 million funds have been allocated for the development schemes and cleanliness of villages in the district while November 18 deadline has also been issued for submission of project's proposals.
The funds will be released to the UCs till November 25 and last date for completion of projects will be February 25, 2018. Moreover, the Punjab government has constituted committees at provincial, district and tehsil levels to monitor the progress of the programme and notifications in this regard had also been issued.
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