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Poor response to Swacchata App

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The Hindu       27.12.2017  

Poor response to Swacchata App

Survey team coming between January 4 and February 4

With a Union government’s team for Swaccha Survekshan Survey 2018 of cities scheduled to arrive here between January 4 and February 4 next, there is poor response from people for downloading Swachhata App for recording feedback on cleanliness of the city; thanks to the lethargy of Mangaluru City Corporation, which has lagged behind in taking up an intensive campaign to create awareness, especially among youth and others in general.

According to a health section official of the corporation, only 363 persons have downloaded the App till Tuesday. The last date for downloading the App is December 31.

Of the total 4,000 points (or marks) fixed under the survey, 1,400 marks have been reserved for citizens feedback or public opinion recorded by downloading the App.

An equal amount of marks (1,400) have been reserved for documentation by the corporation. Another 1,200 marks have been reserved for direct observations by the team members.

The official said that download of the App by 363 persons could earn the corporation only 150 marks. If the civic body is to earn more points, those who have downloaded the App should record their feedback.

Shashidhar Shetty, a green and social activist, said that activists like him were not aware of the App.

He said that people are not aware of any awareness drive by the corporation to sensitise people.

Mr. Shetty wanted to know how the corporation has used the services of its sanitation ambassador, Tulu drama and comedy actor Naveen D. Padil, in creating awareness on sanitation in the city ahead of the survey.

Agreeing with the views of Mr. Shetty, another social activist Gerald Towers said that a majority of people in the city have not heard about the App and their role in the survey.

The councillors have also not helped in sensitising people, he said.

‘Drive is on’

At a press conference here on Tuesday, Mayor Kavita Sanil and Commissioner of the civic body Mohammed Nazir said that the corporation has taken up a drive and it was on. They appealed that more people should download the App and give their feedback to make the corporation score high rank. But both did not share the details of the awareness drives being carried out by the civic body.