The Punjab government has decided to cancel sanitation contracts in 26 tehsils over poor cleaning services, administrative negligence, and delays in paying workers' salaries.
In the first phase, contracts covering 21 tehsils will be terminated following complaints of poor performance and mismanagement. All 21 contracts were awarded to a single company.
The government has also ordered a 90-day temporary takeover of sanitation operations in the affected areas to ensure cleaning services continue under government management.
The handover of machinery is already underway, while arrangements are being made for waste collection directly from its source.
The respective deputy commissioners will supervise sanitation operations during the 90-day period.