LAHORE: The Punjab government has drawn a hard line on public hygiene, announcing a stringent Rs50,000 fine for any citizen caught disposing of animal remains and waste in streets, residential areas, or unauthorized locations during the upcoming Eid ul Adha festivities.
The decision was finalized in a high-level meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Saturday. The session focused on executing flawless cleanliness arrangements across the province, according to an official press statement. With Eid ul Adha expected to fall on Wednesday, May 27, authorities are moving to prevent the annual post-sacrifice sanitation crisis.
Strict Monitoring and Vigilance Squads
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered the establishment of vigilance squads across Punjab to enforce the new regulations. These teams will be tasked with strict monitoring to prevent the dumping of animal waste at prohibited sites. The directive emphasizes that negligence or public complaints will trigger strict accountability measures for both citizens and municipal officers.
“All departments will have to work as one government unit to make the cleanliness operation successful,” Maryam stated during the video-link meeting. She also announced that officers displaying outstanding performance would be rewarded.
The ‘Suthra Punjab’ Operation
To manage the massive sanitation challenge, the government unveiled the “Suthra Punjab Operation.” The comprehensive plan will mobilize a workforce of approximately 176,000 sanitation workers, supplemented by more than 8,000 temporary staff members.
The logistical framework includes:
- 3,800 primary collection centres for animal remains.
- 3,100 designated dumping sites and 7,000 additional dumping points province-wide.
- Over 4,500 special camps established across the region.
- A fleet of more than 40,000 additional vehicles, including loader rickshaws, mini dumpers, and tractor trolleys.
Furthermore, the government plans to distribute biodegradable shopping bags specifically for the disposal of animal waste and remains. Public awareness campaigns will be launched to discourage the hazardous practice of throwing waste into drains and canals.
In a move to enhance the festive atmosphere while maintaining cleanliness, the chief minister has ordered rose water spray arrangements at Eid prayer gatherings and mosques. Special cleaning protocols have also been mandated for 2,687 major commercial markets, private housing societies, railway colonies, and cantonment areas. Citizens seeking assistance or needing to report cleanliness violations during the holidays can contact the dedicated “Suthra Punjab” helpline at 1139.
