The Learning School

Kot Radha Kishen Development Trust arranged a public forum in collaboration with Centre fo Civic Education on "Good Governance" (Waste Management unhygienic sewerage and sanitary conditions) at The Learning School, Kot Radha Kishen on 25^th December 2003. The forum focused at the role of provincial legislators, local government, and social organizations for the development needs of its citizens.The main objective of this public forum was to look at the governance issue in Kot Radha Kishen especially on cleanliness and waste management of the city, which is the biggest problem of the city council and its citizens. The context and contents of the activities were unique and public representative from across the political divide, met their voters at an open forum for the first time on this issue since the formation of local body government.

The discussion at the public forum was framed in the following terms:

Ø What kind of co-operation and co-ordination is required between the local body government and citizens of the city?

Ø How much resources are available for the problem of waste management and cleanliness in the city?

Ø What measures should be taken by provincial government, Local Body Government (Union Councils) and people of the city to solve the problem of waste management.

Member of the Provincial Assembly, Naib Nazims of the Union Councils, Councilors, and social workers attended the forum and citizens from various walks of life were present to highlight their concerns and question their democratic representatives on the core issue of waste management of the city. The citizens from all walks of life and especially a big gathering of women also attended the Forum. The Forum was well attended with over 150 persons and the presence of representatives from tiers of Government, provincial and district & Local Body Government ensured a very lively debate.

A documentary film of 10 minutes was shown on the current unhygienic sanitary conditions and waste management to audience on multimedia.

1) Sardar Shaukat Ali Dogar, Member Provincial Assembly (MPA), Punjab

2) Dr. Noor Ahmed Akhtar, Chairman Kot Radha Kishen Development Trust (KDT)

3) Mr. Javed Iqbal, Naib Nazim Union Council 15, Kot Radha Kishen, Distt Kasur

4) Mr. Alam Azam, Naib Nazim Union Council 14, Kot Radha Kishen, Distt Kasur

5) Haji Muhammad Raza, Sanitary Incharge Union Council Kot Radha Kishen

6) Mr. Zafarullah Khan, Director, Center of Civic Education (CCE)

Mr. Muhammad Anwar, General Secretary, Kot Radha Kishen Development Trust moderated the Forum.

Summary of proceedings

1) Mr. Haji Muhammad Raza, Sanitary Incharge Union Council Kot Radha Kishen
This Forum has given us an opportunity to inform the people about our resources, limitations and problems. Our Union Councils have 70 sanitary workers (sweepers), two tractors and no cart. We are facing the lack of facilities and resources. No doubt our sewerage system has failed but we also need cooperation from public sector to cope with the problem of unhygienic sanitary conditions and waste management. I stress on the Local Body Government to cooperate with us in regard of development expenditures. Even we to use our pocket for the maintenance of the tractors of the Union Councils.

2) Mr. Javed Iqbal, Naib Nazim Union Council 15, Kot Radha Kishen, District Kasur
I appreciate Kot Radha Kishen Development Trust (KDT) to organize this Forum on the critical situation of cleanliness in the city. Actually our political system has many draw backs. There is lack of unity between the political parties of both Union Councils. Last year I personally worked for cleanliness movement in the city around the railway track. The construction of new park is the result of these efforts; the lack of funds in this regard is also another problem to face this challenge. There were two crore rupees of fund revenue but the development expenditure were only 35 lacs and I don’t know about the other 65 lacs. There is no check and balance. There are 70 sweepers in the city but they are not properly used. Some authorities use these sweepers for their personal and domestic works. There is no chain of coordination among Tehsil Nazim, City Nazims, Naib Nazims and counselors. But I appreciate the efforts of Kot Radha Kishen Development Trust (KDT) which has done a great work in the field of education in the form of The Learning School and now utilizing its energies to face the challenge of waste management and cleanliness of the city, which is actually the duty of town committee.

3) Mr. Alam Azam, Naib Nazim Union Council 14, Kot Radha Kishen, Distt Kasur
As it has already mentioned in the debate that there is a need of cooperation and coordination between the both Union Council of the city for the welfare of the citizens. They should remove individual differences and think unanimously.

4) Dr. Noor Ahmed Akhtar, Chairman Kot Radha Kishen Development Trust (KDT)

· Some incentives should be givens to the workers (sweepers) for better work.

· Need of healthy competitions of cleanliness between the workers of both Union Councils.

· Shopkeepers and house women should not throw garbage and dust before their shops and homes respectively.

To make this movement more effective and practical, on behalf of Kot Radha Kishen Development Trust, I announce the donation of ten (10) carts costing to Rs.12,000 worth to the City Government for proper cleanliness and waste management.

a. The grant of 50 lac rupees for the betterment of the city.

b. The grant of 20 lac rupees for the construction of the roads, parks and cleanliness.

c. The grant of 30 lack rupees for the schools of the city.

d. The grant of 15 lack rupees for the construction of two new more roads in the city.

I promise that all these given grants will be approved by the Government very soon. I will also utilize all my power and authority for the betterment of The Learning School and the construction of metal roads in the city.

6) Mr. Zafarullah Khan, director Center of Civic Education (CCE)

I am thankful to Kot Radha Kishen Development Trust (KDT) for honouring me as the citizen of the Kot Radha Kishen and also gave me chance to serve Kot Radha Kishen as the member of Kot Radha Kishen Development Trust (KDT). I request to Sardar Shaukat Dogar MPA to take personal interest on this matter and cooperate us to take measures to solve the problem of waste management. I further request to Naib Nazims of the city to call an emergency meeting of the Union Councils to pass a resolution collectively to take immediate steps to solve the matter of unhygienic sanitary conditions of the city.

Questions and Answers Session

Q: (Mr. Muhammad Anwar) What is the present situation of waste management in the city?

Ans: Naib Nazim Union Council 14, we are also the part of local Government but all the powers are only in the hands of District Nazim and we have not been given any authority to take action. So, we have been failed to keep Good Governance and have to face the criticism of the people.

Q: (Khurram Shaukat) What steps the local Government is taking for the waste of tongas.

Ans: (Muhammad Raza) their inspectors visit the roads and Bazaars but some rare accidents may happen.

Q: What steps are being taken to improve the water supply to the citizens?

Ans: (Sardar Shaukat MPA) We are trying to set up a new tube well for proper water supply to the people and the availability of a new tractor for cleanliness. I also promise to live in Kot Radha Kishen permanently for the reach of common people and solve their problems on the spot.

Q: (Asiya Mushtaq) Why don’t you increase the pay of the workers for better results.

Ans: (Mr. Muhammad Raza) it is right that the workers work on the basis of daily wages and they are paid rupees 108/- per day and we don’t have authority to increase their wages.

Q: Why don’t you ban polythene bag?

Ans: It is really a very big reason of pollution and we will highlight this issue to get the attention of Government on this evil.

Suggestions and Recommendations from the Citizens

Some very useful suggestions were collected from the audience to know their views.

Distribution of handbills (Pamphlets) on the expectations from citizens were also presented to the participants to educate them to keep their city neat and clean. Home to home distribution of the handbills were already arranged by the Trust.

Conclusion

The public response showed their willingness to cooperate Kot Radha Kishen Development Trust (KDT) in the movement of cleanliness. The public took oath to help Kot Radha Kishen Development Trust (KDT) and Local Government on the problem of waste management and the members of respective political parties also confessed their inability to take positive and constructive steps for the welfare and betterment of the city especially in regard of cleanliness and waste management. They promised to play their role positively and develop a good impression among the people.

No doubt the Forum provided an opportunity to politicians and public to listen and question each other, the organizers hope that citizens may be able to participate in such Forums with enthusiasm and more regular basis as it may help and ensure to benefit all the citizens and inhabitants of the area more effectively.