LAHORE: (APP) Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said that work has been started on a big programme worth billions of rupees for providing potable water to the people and Punjab government would ensure the right of clean drinking water to the common man under this programme.
He said this while presiding over a high level meeting, here Saturday, to review the progress of matters regarding the project of supply of clean drinking water to the citizens.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that water is directly linked with human health and clean drinking water is the basic need of every citizen. He said that this progrmame was of very importance with regard to public health and Punjab government will ensure provision of clean drinking water to crores of people living in villages.
Shehbaz said that a sum of Rs 30 billion has been allocated for Saaf Pani programme in the budget of next financial year. He said that more than 80 filtration plants have been installed in five tehsils of south Punjab under a pilot project. He said that besides six districts of south Punjab, Saaf Pani programme would be started on priority basis in those areas where underground water was not suitable for human consumption.
The Chief Minister directed that best companies of the world should be selected in a transparent manner for this programme and rules and regulations should be followed. He said that survey and record of Saaf Pani programme should be computerized.
He said that immediate steps should be taken for capacity-building of Saaf Pani Company for effective implementation of the project.
Provincial Minister for Housing Tanvir Aslam Malik, Chairman Punjab Saaf Pani Company Kashif Padhiar, Chairman Planning & Development and concerned authorities also attended the meeting.