For 'Swachh Mangaluru', Corporation officials stay connected on WhatsApp

Mayor-led task force members listed under dedicated group

With data communication being the most preferred mode of sending information, mainly in the case of tech savvy smartphone users, Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) officials have formed a WhatsApp group for ‘Swachh Bharat’.

With the next ‘Swachh Survekshan’ (survey) slated from January to February 2017, the officials, also for the first time, have taken to WhatsApp to keep the work going. The group named ‘Swachh Mangaluru Task Force,’ with the Mangaluru City Corporation Commissioner Mohammed Nazeer as the admin, already has 21 members, with Mayor K Harinath who is also the head of the task force, Deputy Mayor Sumitra Kariya, leader of opposition in council Roopa Bangera, chairmen and chairpersons of various standing committees, whip in council, nodal officers and stakeholders that includes different organisations roped in for the task. The number of members is also set for an increase with the task force in its recent meeting held on August 17, deliberating on various measures, mostly on involving more organisations to ensure that the city reaches the top slot in the survey.

“From sending meeting notice to follow up of works and the agenda for the meeting, every allied matters are being posted in the group”, an official preferring anonymity told DH.

Pace next

The task force is expected to gather pace in the coming days as and when more members will be added into the group. During the previous meeting of the task force, it was decided to include as many government departments and organisations in the task force like: Rotary and Lions club, Police department, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), office of Deputy Director of Public Instructions (DDPI), Yuvaka Mandala, Contractors’ Association, Indian Medical Association, Kanara Small Industries Association and Ex-servicemen’s Association, the officer added.

Besides, Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (CREDAI) and also Lions Club have expressed their willingess to be a part of the projects under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. As the city corporation has identified 34 places to build public toilets, the afore mentioned organisations are expected to part fund the same. Lions Club, which is entering its centenary year, wants to take up various other works under CSR. It includes direction boards and name boards in different localities in the city, the officer said.
To build individual toilets, National Service Scheme volunteers from different colleges will be doing shramdan in a big way, he added.

Two counts

Under the Swacch Survekshan, an agency fixed by the Urban Development department will take up re-survey in the city. Like previous years, the survey will focus on two counts: management of solid waste and measures taken to check open defecation. During the last survey, Mangaluru was ranked three. This time, the officials are leaving  no stone unturned in reaching top slot.