By Amjad Yousaf Zai
TAXILA: Taxila became the first tehsil of district Rawalpindi to modern sanitation and cleanliness facilities in rural and urban areas through a public-private partnership through Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) under the ‘Suthra Punjab Program’. Member Punjab assembly Mohsin Ayub Khan inaugurated the program in a simple but impressive ceremony on Friday. Former Punjab assembly member Umar Farooq, Assistant Commissioner Zaryab Sajid, Chief executive officer Rawalpindi Waste Management Company Rana Sajid Safdar, PML leaders and notables of the area were also present on this occasion.
Addressing this occasion, Member Punjab assembly Mohsin Ayub Khan has said that the ‘Suthra’ Punjab programme was launched on the directives of Chief Minister Punjab and it is a gift for the masses for better cleanliness and sanitation facilities in cities and villages through a public-private partnership. While praising the initiative as a remarkable effort by the government to promote sustainable development, he said that the Suthra Punjab campaign is part of the government’s efforts to improve the living standards of the people of Punjab. With its focus on cleanliness and sanitation, the campaign aims to create a healthier environment for the province’s residents. He was of the view that outsourcing of cleaning services through this program is a very important initiative which will not only increase the quality of services but also citizens will be provided with better and faster services in terms of cleanliness. He expressed his determination that the government will provide all necessary resources for the successful implementation of this project. He further said that Suthra Punjab will prove to be a major cleaning programme of the area. “This model will be made self-sustained and long-lasting”. He added. Assistant Commissioner Zaryab Sajid while speaking on this occasion has said that as many as 237 sanitary staff among them 169 sanitary workers and 555 drivers would be deployed on cleanliness and sanitary services. He further added that 77 sanitary workers would be deployed in rural areas while as many as 92 in urban areas to ensure zero waste in the city.
Chief executive officer Rawalpindi Waste Management Company Rana Sajid Safdar while speaking on this occasion has said that the citizens will also be able to file complaints through the App. He revealed that a penalty mechanism has been created for non-implementation of complaints while transparency and monitoring was an important component of this Programme. He appealed that the citizens should cooperate with the line departments in this people-friendly programme.
