LAHORE The Punjab government first time had framed regulations to sell out solid waste through open auction for its recycling and better utilisation to generate energy as well as other useful items, Punjab Local Government Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal said on Sunday. Gondal also said that the amendment had been made to the Punjab Local Government Property Rules 2003 and Clause No 17 had been added to regulate the auction of solid waste in the province. He added that copies of amended rules had been dispatched to all commissioners, district coordination officers and tehsil municipal officers. According to the amended rules, the district government and TMAs concerned will sell out solid waste in their jurisdictions through open auction. The maximum period for the sale of solid waste shall be 20 years which shall be divided into at least three stages, whereas initial sale period shall not be more than 10 years, the LG secretary said. The contractor, he said, would be responsible for the safe recycling, treatment and disposal processes of solid waste after collection from the district government/TMA, who would follow all laws, rules and regulations, byelaws and other mandatory requirements such as the relevant local government and environmental approvals. The secretary observed that the contractor would take adequate measures to minimise possible air, water and soil pollution. However, he added, the district government and TMAs would not auction inflammable, explosive, radioactive and all kind of hazardous waste. A committee headed by the DCO concerned and comprising Municipal Services EDO, TMO and TO (I&S) and District Excise & Taxation Officer would conduct the auction and forward recommendations to Zila/tehsil council for confirmation or rejection of the auction. The committee would fix reserve price and every bidder would deposit 10 per cent of the reserve price as earnest money in the fund of the local government which would be retained by the local government as security of a successful bidder, he said. The auction price for the first year would be deposited by the successful bidder in advance within 10 days of the confirmation and he would continue to deposit price in advance on each subsequent year till the completion of his agreement, the secretary said and added that the local government employees, agents and contractors might visit or inspect facilities of the contractor established for recycling, treatment and disposal process of the solid waste. The local government might conduct a third party audit of the process facilities of the contractor on annual or biannual basis, Gondal said.