Lahore: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has mandated that salaries for Suthra Punjab workers must be disbursed by the fifth of each month, with legal action to follow against companies that fail to comply. She conveyed these instructions during a special meeting focused on assessing the Suthra Punjab programme, urban sanitation, and sewerage systems.

According to Chief Minister of Punjab, the chief minister also addressed concerns regarding absenteeism among staff in both urban and rural settings, expressing dissatisfaction with negligent officers. Key performance indicators (KPIs) are to be established for the managing director, financial management officers, and tehsil municipal officers. The managing director of Suthra Punjab faces a three-year posting freeze for inadequate performance, and CM Punjab has committed to personally overseeing performance reports from Suthra Punjab companies across cities.

Furthermore, directives were given for the managing director of WASAs to spend two hours in the field daily, while TMO and FMO officials are to inspect sanitation conditions in at least five union councils each day. The activation of Suthra Punjab anti-littering squads at divisional headquarters was also ordered, with squads utilizing e-bikes to monitor public spaces. An environment-friendly citizen sticker is set to be awarded monthly to those maintaining cleanliness, along with the prospect of gifts or certificates from the chief minister.

The chief minister stressed the importance of maintaining sanitation in vacant plots, regular cleaning of waste enclosures, and ensuring mechanical sweepers are in working order. Legal action is to be pursued against companies failing to pay workers in Rojhan and Choubara, and desilting operations are to continue for improved drainage. Public complaints about cleanliness are to be addressed without delay.

CM Punjab emphasized that corruption and negligence within Suthra Punjab operations would not be tolerated, underscoring the programme’s value in enhancing cleanliness and providing essential services.