Punjab Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht on Friday directed the industries department to ensure the establishment of cement plants away from the populated areas, transformation of brick kilns on modern zigzag technology and usage of echo-friendly fuels in the industry.
Further, the teams of the environment protection department are constituted to check the breaking of stones in the cement industry alongside environmental pollution. Additionally, awareness campaigns were already conducted across the province by the environment protection department.
This was informed in 2nd meeting chaired by the Finance Minister to review the steps taken to control SMOG in Punjab. Advisor to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam, Punjab Energy Minister attended the meeting through video link while provincial environment minister Muhammad Rizwan, head of Chief Minister Special Monitoring Unit Fazeel Asif, Additional IG Punjab and concern officials of different departments attended the meeting.
The meeting was informed that details were sought from all departments concern about the steps taken to control smog. The minister instructed that timeline for transforming the brick kilns on zigzag technology should be followed strictly while police and transport department should ensure stopping the smoke omitting and non-fitness certificates vehicles plying on the roads.
Further, purchase of echo-friendly vehicles should be ensured in the purchase of cars and buses by the government institutions. The environment protection department should ensure that all departments strictly follow the recommendations of the smog control committee. Hashim Jawan Bahkat said the province was already facing health management challenges due to covid-19 while smog can added the challenges so timely action could avert the smog. He orders that all departments should come up with the report about the steps taken to control the smog by the respective departments. The committee should be updated what steps taken to shift the brick kilns on zigzag technology, what is progress on installation of machinery to measure environmental protection.