Chief Secretary Punjab Abdullah Khan Sumbal has asked all the deputy commissioners to ensure the implementation of SOPs, warning them that any laxity or negligence in efforts to overcome dengue and smog would not be tolerated as these issues directly impact people's health.
He gave these directions while presiding over a video-link meeting of all divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners at the Civil Secretariat. The meeting reviewed the measures being taken to prevent dengue and smog.
The Chief Secretary said that Punjab's anti-dengue measures are declared worthy of emulation, adding that the field officers must ensure the implementation of SOPs to control dengue and smog. He also issued instructions to speed up the recruitment process of dengue staff in Gujranwala.
The Chief Secretary directed that strict action be taken against those who burn crop residues and garbage. He said that the issue of smog is not only limited to a few big cities, therefore focused efforts are needed to prevent smog across the province. He said that arrangements should be made to sprinkle water on roads to avoid fugitive dust that causes smog. The Chief Secretary also ordered indiscriminate action against smoke-emitting private as well as government vehicles. The Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department told the meeting that 11,245 confirmed dengue cases and 13 deaths have been reported so far this year, and there is an increase in dengue patients in Gujranwala and Multan. The officials of the Department of Environmental Protection said that the Central Control Room has started working and sending real-time information to the deputy commissioners with the help of satellite imagery for action against the burning of crop residues. They said that eight new monitors have been installed at different locations in Lahore to check air quality. The administrative secretaries of health, environment protection, and transport departments and officers concerned attended the meeting while all the divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners participated through a video link.