CM Maryam Nawaz orders timely salaries for Suthra Punjab workers

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed authorities to ensure that all workers employed under the Suthra Punjab programme receive their monthly salaries by the 5th of every month

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed authorities to ensure that all workers employed under the Suthra Punjab programme receive their monthly salaries by the 5th of every month, warning that companies responsible for delayed payments will face strict legal action.

The chief minister issued the directives while reviewing the performance of the province’s sanitation programme. She made it clear that delays in wage payments, financial irregularities and poor performance in cleanliness operations would not be tolerated.

Following her instructions, salary payments have already been completed for workers employed by 149 of the 151 companies working under the Suthra Punjab programme. The remaining companies have also been directed to ensure timely payment to their employees.

CM Maryam said workers performing sanitation duties across Punjab should not be forced to wait for their salaries and stressed that timely payment was essential for ensuring effective service delivery.

She ordered the authorities to take immediate legal action against companies that fail to pay their employees within the stipulated timeframe.

Stricter field monitoring ordered

The chief minister also directed officials to strengthen field inspections and ensure that sanitation activities produce visible results across cities, towns and villages.

Under the new monitoring arrangements, the Managing Director of WASA has been instructed to spend at least two hours in the field every day to personally review sanitation and related operations. Similarly, Tehsil Municipal Officers (TMOs) and Field Monitoring Officers (FMOs) have been directed to inspect at least five union councils daily.

CM Maryam further ordered the introduction of clear key performance indicators (KPIs) for Suthra Punjab managing directors, FMOs and TMOs. Their performance will be assessed on the basis of these targets, while reports concerning sanitation companies operating in different cities will be monitored at the provincial level.

She warned that officials who fail to meet performance standards would face disciplinary action. The chief minister also directed that an MD of Suthra Punjab whose performance remains unsatisfactory should not be considered for another posting for three years.

Action against absentee staff

The chief minister also took notice of reports of absenteeism among sanitation staff and workers in both urban and rural areas. She directed relevant authorities to take action against employees who remain absent from duty without justification.

She ordered officials to ensure the regular cleaning of vacant plots, waste enclosures, streets and roads. Damaged walls and doors at sanitation-related sites should also be repaired to improve the overall condition of public spaces.

Mechanical sweepers must remain operational, while desilting activities should continue to improve drainage and prevent the accumulation of stagnant water and waste.

The chief minister further instructed officials to respond promptly to public complaints regarding cleanliness and sanitation services.

Officials told to work in the field

CM Maryam Nawaz emphasised that sanitation management could not be improved through office-based monitoring alone. She directed senior officials and field staff to remain actively engaged in inspections and ensure that problems identified during visits are resolved promptly.

She said the performance of Suthra Punjab should be reflected in visible improvements in cleanliness on a daily basis. Officials and employees, she added, could not remain confined to their offices while drawing salaries and were expected to perform their responsibilities in the field.