Make conservancy staff face of Swachh campaign: Congress to BMC

Even as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is yet to find a face to lead its part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Congress has demanded the civic body appoint its conservancy staffers as brand ambassadors for the campaign.

The BMC claimed to be taking efforts to make the drive effective, it has also been trying to rope in a face to lead the campaign to spread awareness and, thereby, ensure maximum public participation.

"Celebrities or VIPs participating in the drive so far have used the drive as a photo opportunity. It's the conservancy staffers who toil to keep the city clean. They have been doing this even before the Centre launched the scheme. Hence, I believe they are the right people to be made faces of the campaign," said Devendra Amberkar, opposition leader.

Amberkar said in order to push his demand he will raise the issue during meetings of the corporation. "I am going to take up the issue during group leaders' meet. If the BMC agrees to appoint labourers as ambassadors, it will boost their morale. Plus, it will send a right signal across the country that Mumbai is appreciating genuine workers, rather than those who participate in the drive for the sake of publicity," he added.

The Kachra Vahtuk Shramik Sangh has welcomed the move. "There are people who have spent their lives cleaning the city, while those who don't even hold broom in their hands for 15 minutes are posing for the cameras. It's time BMC recognises efforts put in by people neglected so far and makes them face of the drive," said Milind Ranade, general secretary of the Sangh.