Punjab Govt Announces Decision To Close Schools If Smog Worsens
The Punjab government has decided not to close any schools despite the smog situation in the province, local media reported.
This was decided by a permanent provincial committee on smog, which was formed to find ways to mitigate the effects of the extremely dangerous smog in Punjab, particularly in the provincial capital Lahore.
As per the media reports, the cabinet body, headed by Punjab Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht, was briefed on the current situation by a senior member of the Revenue Council, Babar Hayat Tarar.
“Prior to the meeting, proposals were made to close schools if the smog situation worsened,” said a well-placed source, adding that the committee had decided not to do so.
The committee formed an “anti-smog team” to stop the growing risk of smog in the state capital and also created a detailed plan to combat air pollution.
The Committee called on Commissioner Lahore to ensure the implementation of the Air Pollution Action Plan.
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The anti-smog team, consisting of five teams and each team of five, will surprisingly visit industries and small factories in the provincial capital and impose heavy fines for violations.
The heads of the environmental protection department will lead these teams, which will include members of the police, WASA, LESCO, and the city administration.
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