Latest news with #Rs84
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Rs21b 'Suthra Punjab' project stalls
No effective waste management framework has been introduced in the past five months. photos: express The ambitious "Suthra Punjab Program," launched to overhaul sanitation services in Dera Ghazi Khan Division, has come under heavy criticism for its failure to deliver on promises, despite an annual expenditure of Rs21 billion. Five months after a four-year, Rs84 billion contract was awarded to a private firm for providing sanitation services across 12 tehsils in five districts, no effective waste management framework or essential machinery has been introduced. The lack of infrastructure and planning has led to garbage being dumped in open fields rather than designated sites, with dust storms further scattering waste into nearby agricultural areas. Affected regions include Choti, Paighah, Chak Barmani, Chak Buzdar, Taunsa, and others. Public frustration is mounting. Residents such as Dr Abbas Khan Barmani, Ghulam Abbas Gorchani, and Muhammad Bilal voiced their grievances to The Express Tribune, lamenting that the Board of Directors (BoDs) of the DG Khan Waste Management Company lacks the authority to enforce any meaningful action. "All powers rest with the Chief Officer," said one resident, calling on higher authorities to intervene. Member of the Provincial Assembly Sardar Mehmood Qadir Khan Leghari questioned the accountability mechanisms of the program. "Why are billions being paid to a contractor who is also using government machinery, and why is no one ensuring compliance with the contract's SOPs?" he asked, urging Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to take immediate notice. DG Khan Waste Management Company CEO Rana Muhammad Shahid Nadeem, who took charge two weeks ago, acknowledged the problems and pledged improvements. "Proper sanitation can only be ensured once sewerage and road infrastructure are upgraded in the initial phase," he stated. Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Usman Khalid highlighted that, for the first time, sanitation work has extended to rural villages and sanitation staff is active in the field. However, he admitted that proper dumping points have yet to be established. He assured that designated dumping sites would be identified and improvements made in accordance with the Chief Minister's vision. Following widespread complaints, Punjab Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafiq visited DG Khan and chaired a review meeting at the Commissioner's Office. Attended by local lawmakers, Commissioner Ashfaq Ahmed Chaudhry, and officials via video link, the meeting revealed widespread dissatisfaction with company's performance. Minister Rafiq criticised the company for failing to deploy the full workforce and machinery as per the agreement, and for unauthorised deductions from sanitation staff salaries. "Most of the complaints received by the chief minister are related to the private firm's poor execution," he said, warning that the contract could be cancelled if improvements are not made immediately. Reaffirming the government's intent, the minister said, "The chief minister launched the Suthra Punjab programme to ensure quality sanitation across cities and villages alike. We must work together to make this initiative successful."
Express Tribune
01-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
CM announces labour health, housing projects
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif a package worth Rs84 billion has been launched for the well-being of labourers ahead of the International Labour Day. The miners and workers will be able to get a monthly subsidy of Rs3,000 through ration cards, she stated in her message issued to mark the day. She added, "Workers will be able to get 13 other benefits, including digital cash transfer, advance salary and Labour Day prizes through JS Bank cards." The chief minister said 50-bed social security hospitals had been inaugurated in Kasur and Sargodha, while a hospital would also be built in Rahim Yar Khan for the labourers. She said state-of-the-art wellness centres would be built in three cities for the workers. The chief minister revealed that a first-of-its-kind 200-bed modern cardiac city would be built in Lahore for the workers. She disclosed that 'teleclinics' were being set up to provide medical facilities to the workers from the best doctors. She said the inauguration of a labour colony in Taxila and a Workers Welfare Complex in the Sundar Industrial Estate was a welcome step. She said, "A new labour colony will be built in Warburton and Phase-II of the colony in Multan will be built, while 300 day care centres are being built for the convenience of female workers of factories." The chief minister added, "For the first time, payment of minimum wage is being ensured across the province." Meanwhile, Special Assistant to Chief Minister (SACM) Punjab Rashid Iqbal Nasrullah and Deputy Commissioner Lahore Syed Musa Raza on Thursday paid glowing tributes to workers across the province, acknowledging their crucial role in Pakistan's development and progress on the occasion of International Labour Day. SACM Rashid Iqbal Nasrullah, in his message, called workers the "backbone of society," praising their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts that drive national growth. "Your labour is not only a source of pride but also a cornerstone for the nation's reconstruction," he said. He emphasised that under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the provincial government is taking meaningful steps to protect workers' rights and improve their quality of life. "The Chief Minister has not only raised workers' wages but also ensured their effective implementation across Punjab," he noted. Nasrullah added that new welfare initiatives aimed at uplifting the working class will be launched soon. Echoing these sentiments, Deputy Commissioner Lahore Syed Musa Raza paid homage to the labour force's resilience and indispensable contributions to the city's development. "Without the contribution of labourers, the prosperity of Lahore would not be possible," he stated in his message. The DC highlighted the vital role played by workers in diverse sectors including construction, transport, manufacturing, sanitation, and services, calling them the pillars of Lahore's economic and social life. He reiterated the district administration's commitment to safeguarding workers' rights, health, and safety, ensuring they receive fair treatment and dignified working conditions. "Labourers are the backbone of our economy, and the administration stands in solidarity with them," said the DC, assuring continued prioritisation of worker welfare and empowerment in Lahore and across Punjab.
Express Tribune
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
CM launches Rs84b ration card scheme
The Punjab chief minister hands over the first Maryam Nawaz Ration Card to an industrial worker. Photo: express Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched the largest ration card programme in the country's history as part of a package worth Rs84 billion for industrial workers. Under the CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif Ration Card programme, monthly subsidy worth Rs3,000 will be given to the workers and miners. The workers and miners registered for social security will be able to get digital cash transfer, advance salary and rewards on the Labour Day through a bank card. In addition to other facilities, the bank card will also provide additional cash benefits and insurance. The beneficiaries will be able to get 13 additional benefits and facilities through the ration card. The chief minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several projects for the workers. She laid the foundation stone of Social Security Hospitals in Sargodha and Kasur, along with a 50-bed facility in Rahim Yar Khan. She also laid the foundation stone of the first Maryam Nawaz Wellness Centre for workers along with a 200-bed Cardiac City for workers. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also launched a teleclinics project for the workers across the province. She inaugurated the Taxila Labour Colonies and Sundar Estate Workers Welfare Complex. She also laid the foundation stone of a Labour Colony in Warburton and the second phase of a colony in Multan. She also conducted a lottery for motorcycles and solar panels for workers. Addressing a ceremony at the Expo Centre, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced the plan to give ration cards to 1.25 million working families. She said, "The progress in our country is due to the hard work of the labourers. Labourers work the hardest to build new roads, airports, hospitals and motorways. If the country is progressing due to the labourers and hard workers, then they should also be rewarded." She said, "The ration card is not for those who ask for arms, but for those who work 15 to 16 hours in a day." She said, "We fulfilled out promise of not causing any harm to the farmers and also did not let the price of 'Roti' increase." She added, "A lie is being spread that farmers have suffered losses, while Rs5,000 per acre is going to be given to the owners of less than 12 acres of land. Fixing the price of wheat at Rs4,000 will make Roti and flour expensive for 150 million people." The chief minister said there is tension on the border between Pakistan and India, but there is no need to worry. The Pakistan Army can combat every threat. Allah Almighty has given Pakistan, Pakistani people and the Pakistan Army the courage to encounter the enemy. She said, "I want to tell the Pakistani people that no matter which party we belong to, we should stand with the Pakistan Army on this occasion. Any enemy of Pakistan will think 10 times before attacking as everyone knows that Pakistan is a nuclear power. Pakistan was made a nuclear power by Nawaz Sharif. Meanwhile, chairing a meeting, the CM approved in principle a plan for phased construction, repair and rehabilitation projects in major cities.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Time of India
Caregiver steals 14L from 98-year-old's account
1 2 3 4 Pune: The Hadapsar police are probing a shocking case in which a full-time caregiver allegedly stole a bank-linked SIM card belonging to a 98-year-old retired professor and transferred Rs13.92 lakh from his accounts. The complaint was filed by the professor's son, a consultant residing in Magarpatta. According to the police, the caregiver—who hails from Ballia, Uttar Pradesh—has been absconding since April 14. The victim, a retired professor from University of Madras, receives a monthly pension of Rs84,000. He had been under the care of a professional hired through a private agency. Inspector (crime) Nilesh Jagdale, the investigating officer, said, "The complainant discovered the SIM card missing on April 19. At the mobile store, he was told the original SIM was still active. He then checked his father's bank accounts and found that Rs13.92 lakh had been transferred to the caregiver." Investigations revealed that the accused had used the SIM card to create a UPI ID in the professor's name and carried out online transactions from three different banks. "The caregiver stopped reporting to work from April 14 and turned off his phone," Jagdale added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo After being alerted by the consultant, the agency replaced the caregiver with a new one. Meanwhile, the accused's bank accounts have been frozen, and police are working on leads to trace him. An FIR has been registered under sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and section 66(d) of the IT Act. The investigation is ongoing.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Time of India
Caregiver steals 13.9L from 98-year-old's account
1 2 3 Pune: The Hadapsar police are probing a shocking case in which a full-time caregiver allegedly stole a bank-linked SIM card belonging to a 98-year-old retired professor and transferred Rs13.92 lakh from his accounts. The complaint was filed by the professor's son, a consultant residing in Magarpatta. According to the police, the caregiver—who hails from Ballia, Uttar Pradesh—has been absconding since April 14. The victim, a retired professor from University of Madras, receives a monthly pension of Rs84,000. He had been under the care of a professional hired through a private agency. Inspector (crime) Nilesh Jagdale, the investigating officer, said, "The complainant discovered the SIM card missing on April 19. At the mobile store, he was told the original SIM was still active. He then checked his father's bank accounts and found that Rs13.92 lakh had been transferred to the caregiver." Investigations revealed that the accused had used the SIM card to create a UPI ID in the professor's name and carried out online transactions from three different banks. "The caregiver stopped reporting to work from April 14 and turned off his phone," Jagdale added. After being alerted by the consultant, the agency replaced the caregiver with a new one. Meanwhile, the accused's bank accounts have been frozen, and police are working on leads to trace him. An FIR has been registered under sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and section 66(d) of the IT Act. The investigation is ongoing. MSID:: 120484255 413 |
