Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Sep 24: “Cleanliness lies in changing the mindset of the people. That should be changed first. Just a law cannot change it. We should keep our mind and surroundings clean. There is lack of Pourakarmikas in the city. Lots of changes are done in the nation after Modi announced Swaccha Jagrath Mission,” said MLA K Raghupati Bhat on Civilian Labourers’ Day.
Raghupati Bhat was speaking after inaugurating the programme at Mini Town hall, Ajjarkad here on Monday, September 23. He further said, “The contributions of civilian workers to keep the environment clean is more. The day is celebrated to emphasize the importance of civilian workers, who are constantly working for the cleanliness. At present, the government has made a policy of one civic worker for 700 people. But it is not right and is unscientific because the tourist population is more in the city.
“The problem of shortage of civilian workers is due to the retirement and premature death. Most of them are appointed on contact basis. There is a shortage of 60 civilian workers in the city due to compliance with some of the rules for hiring civilian workers. At present, there are 180 civilian workers in Udupi, whereas the requirement is more than 190 workers. Deputy Commissioner has promised to recruit more civilian workers.
“The civic workers should not have any inferiority complex in their work. They have the same respect as others. If you respect the work you do, the work will give you respect. Civic workers are have same respect like soldiers at the border. The officials have handed over a memorandum on various demands of civic workers,” he said.
On the advice of Manohar Shetty, Bhat instructed the CMC commissioner Anand Kallolikar to select a civilian worker for the district Rajyotsava award this year, considering their service. They deserve it. This will encourage them to do more work.
MLA Raghupati Bhat launched the Clean Service campaign vehicle to raise awareness about cleanliness. Civilian workers were honoured on the occasion for their outstanding service.
Karunakar, officer, in his keynote address said, “The shortage of civic workers curbs the efficiency in work. There are no certain norms for recruitment of civic workers. The existing workers are under pressure.”
Ananda Kalolikar, City municipality commissioner, Manohar Shetty, proprietor, Sri Said Radha Developers, Shyam Sundar, KMC Hospital, Community Medicine, Ganesh, CMC engineer and Raghavendra, environment engineer were present.