The Local Government Minister, Punjab, Navjot Singh Sidhu here today presided over a meeting with commissioners of all the 10 Municipal Corporations of the state and reviewed the arrangements with regard to smooth functioning of solid waste management projects and ensuring clean and hygienic look for the cities and towns. The meeting was attended by Adviser to the department Dr. Amar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Mr. Satish Chandra, Director Mr. K.K. Yadav and Chief Engineer Mr. A.S. Dhaliwal.During the course of meeting held at Local Bodies Bhawan, the Minister said that the urban areas are facing the problem of clogged sewerages which results in stagnant water on the streets. Instructing the departmental officers, he said that the remedy to this problem must be found before the onset of monsoon. As part of a solution, he batted for the induction of ultra modern super suction machines regarding whose operating procedure, he witnessed a power point presentation also. Mr. Sidhu further said that these machines would be used on priority basis in 5 major cities namely-Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Patiala and Bathinda which constitutes more than 40 percent population of the state so as to ensure that the population living in these doesn’t has to face with the problem.The Minister also made it clear to the officials of the department that no compromise would be made with regard to the ensuring of clean and hygienic conditions in the urban centres.
Addressing the representatives of various companies running projects in different clusters, Mr. Sidhu said that he desires healthy competition in respect of this vital sector in order to provide better services to the urban population. He also made it crystal clear that an assessment of the work being carried out by the companies would be carried out and those performing well would be given further chance to work on the projects. He also said that anybody tinkering with the cleanliness arrangements would not be spared. He instructed the departmental officials to spent every single penny received under swachh bharat mission on ensuring sanitary conditions in the urban areas.The minister reviewed project of each cluster and ordered to continue successful ones. In case of encountering any difficulty in the execution of projects, he deputed concerned commissioner and departmental officials. He directed the cancellation of agreement with those companies who have yet to start work or whose performance is un-satisfactory. The minister asked the officials to fix different dates in accordance with the clusters to run these projects with success and sought a comprehensive report regarding the same.Mr. Sidhu mentioned successful projects being run in Delhi and other cities of the country and rooted for the implementation of same model in Punjab. Minutely reviewing the process from gathering waste to its processing in plant, the minister asked the representatives of companies to bring to his notice any problem they encounter but he also made it clear that he would not tolerate any laxity in the successful implementation of the project. Terming the ensuring of clean and green environment in urban areas as very significant issue, Mr. Sidhu warned that officers found negligent on this count would have to face action.