Lahore: Punjab Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht recently announced to make the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) as the body in charge of coordinating the provincial government’s efforts to mitigate and prevent smog in the coming winter season, according to a news source published on September 20.
The minister made this decision while chairing a meeting of the smog-control committee that was originally constituted by Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.
In order to manage and implement their plan, the authority is expected to conduct research, formulate policies, create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and spread awareness about the socio-economic impact of smog. In addition, the provincial government will provide incentives to the industries that incorporate environment-friendly technologies. For the plan to be implemented effectively, all the departments concerned are expected to ensure the strict implementation of the relevant SOPs in their respective areas.
The task to control smog has been handed over to the PDMA based on its recent successes in controlling the locust attack and managing the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the province. The authority is also expected to procure special equipment to control smog and conduct separate training sessions with brick kiln owners on the various methods they could use to adopt zigzag technology.
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