LG dept evolves rules for solid waste recycling

LAHORE, April 17: The Punjab government is going to auction solid waste for recycling and generating energy as well as for other useful purposes. The Punjab local government department has made rules for the purpose for the first time in the province. The decision will help the TMAs rid of the responsibility of spending huge funds on disposal of solid waste and instead start making it a source of permanent income. Local Government Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal said on Sunday that amendments had been made in the Punjab Local Government Property Rules 2003 and Clause 17 had been added to it to regulate the auction of solid waste in the province. Copies of the amended rules had been sent to all divisional commissioners, DCOs and TMOs. According to the amended rules, the district government and TMA concerned shall sell out solid waste in their jurisdictions through open auction. The maximum period for the sale of solid waste shall be 20 years whic h shall be divided into at least three stages, the initial sale period shall not be more than 10 years. The contractor shall be responsible for the safe recycling, treatment and disposal processes of the solid waste after collecting it from the district government or the TMA concerned, and shall follow all laws, rules, regulations, byelaws and other mandatory requirements such as the relevant local government and environmental approvals. The contractor shall take adequate measures to minimise the possible pollution of air, water and soil. The district governments and the TMAs shall not auction inflammable, explosive, radioactive and all kind of hazardous waste. A committee headed by the DCO concerned and comprising the EDO (Municipal Services), TMO and TO (I&S) and the district excise and taxation officer shall conduct the auction of solid waste and forward the recommendations to zila or tehsil council for confirmation or rejection. The committee shall fix reserve price and every bidder shall deposit 10 per cent of it as earnest money with the local government which will be retained as security of a successful bidder. The auction price for the first year shall be deposited by the successful bidder in advance within 10 days of the confirmation and he will continue to deposit the price in advance every subsequent year till the completion of his agreement. The employees, agents and contractors of the local government might visit or inspect facilities of the contractor established for recycling, treatment and disposal process of the solid waste. The local government might conduct a third-party audit of the solid waste recycling, treatment and disposal process facilities of the contractor on annual or biannual basis.