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.