Ramadan Contingency Plan 2012, which was supposed to have been announced one week ago, was finally launched on Thursday after several hiccups and many delays.
Ramadan Contingency Plan is normally revealed a week before the month of Ramadan. However, because of lack of coordination between officials in Punjab and district governments there was a delay in the announcement. There were also several hiccups as there was difference of opinion among DCOs over security arrangements.
Ramadan Contingency Plan involves coordination between 36 DCOs and commissioners for the arrangement Ramadan Bazaars, Ramadan free Dasterkhawans, price control magistrates, special security plans, cleanliness systems, adulteration drive, anti-encroachment campaigns and establishment of parking lots. An official of chief minister secretariat told Pakistan Today that Ramadan Contingency Plan 2012 could not be showcased earlier because the government decided to announce it in several parts to hide its embarrassment over lack of coordination.
However, Lahore DCO Noorul Amin Mengal denied any delay and said that Ramadan Contingency Plan 2012 was in action with full stream and its complete copy was available in DCO office.
He said that 25 Ramadan Bazaars, fair price shops and 250 dastarkhawans had been set up across the city. He said that CDGL special staff was all set to distribute Iftar packets among those travelling at the time of Iftar.
The Ramadan Contingency Plan has also put into action foolproof security arrangements for the month of Ramadan. Under the plan, police will ensure adequate security at all places of worship, mosques, imambarghas, graveyards, mazars and other congregational places. Security personnel will have special deputation at Eid-ul-Fitr congregrations and during Eid holidays.The Plan reveals that public awareness drive will be launched to educate people about the security measures against terrorism and sabotage. Mohallah Muhafiz Committees have been activated to perform watch and ward duties at places of worship. Services of Qaumi Razakars, civil defence razakars, chowkidars, lumberdars and NGOs will be utilised.
Under the Ramadan plan, around 8,500 cops of the Lahore Police including personnel from the Mujahid and Tiger squads will be on duty around 4022 mosques and imambargahs during Sehar, Iftar and Taravih timing. As many as 150 motorcycles and 48 automobiles have been provided to the squads for extensive patrolling around the imambargahs and mosques to thwart any untoward incident.
Parking stands should be arranged at about 100 yards away from the mosques and imambargahs and a special checking of vehicles outside the mosques and Imambargahs. Plan said that Traffic police had also chalked out comprehensive traffic plan to maintain the flow of traffic during rush hours in the holy month of Ramadan.
The plan has also announced “Special Ramdan drive” to check adulteration, hygiene conditions, price-hike and cleanliness in all the hotel, restaurants and eateries offering Ramdan deals for Sehri and Iftar times in the city. The Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) would keep Ramdan Model Bazars clean and waste free round the clock. More than 100 workers of LWMC had been deputed in two shifts to maintain exemplary cleanliness in these bazaars. LWMC had provided 100 bins and 60 wheelie bins in 25 model bazaars.
LWMC MD Waseem Ajmal said that expected amount of waste to be generated from 1188 shops in 25 model bazaars is around 11,880 tons everyday and the company will be collecting and transporting all waste in time so that in Ramadan, the visitors are comfortable in a neat environment.
