A smart lockdown to contain smog was observed across the district on Sunday. Action was also taken against industrial units, brick kilns, vehicle owners and farmers who caused air pollution and smog. Since April 1, Rs. 5.9 million fines and 61 cases have been registered.
These details were given by Deputy Commissioner Captain (Rtd) Shoaib Ali about the implementation of smart lockdown orders to control smog and steps taken by the district administration.
The DC said that after following the instructions of the Punjab government, educational institutions remained completely closed in all tehsils of the district from Friday to Sunday, while shops, shopping centers, hotels and restaurants were allowed to open after 3 o’clock.
He appreciated how the business community in Sargodha had fully cooperated with the district administration. However, the Sargodha assistant commissioner and her team sealed 7 shops during checking in different areas for violating the lockdown.
The deputy commissioner said that teams under the leadership of ACs remained active in the field to ensure the implementation of the orders.
Meanwhile eight business centres including six hotels were sealed in Silakot, Punjab, over violating smart lockdown amid smog. According to the district administration, so far 52 people have been arrested over violating the lockdown, while a fine of Rs508,000 has been imposed for the violations.
The government has been taking steps to control the increasing threat of smog, while it has also planned artificial rain in the provincial capital in the upcoming week, the sources said.—INP
