Mysuru: Following publication of the photo caption news item titled ‘Manhole cleaners keep working despite ban on manual job’ in Star of Mysore dated Apr. 19, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), in a press release dated Apr. 20, has clarified that the workers were undertaking de-silting works using a machine, when the rod broke inside the manhole.

The release further said that when a worker tried to look inside the manhole for the rod, his mobile phone which was kept in his shirt pocket fell inside the manhole and the other two workers were helping him to retrieve the mobile phone using his leg by lowering him into the manhole and not for cleaning purpose.

The PRO has further clarified that they are abiding the Supreme Court order and will not violate the Apex Court order in any circumstances, as per the report provided by the Assistant Executive Engineer, UGD Sub-Division – 1.

Meanwhile, the Mysuru City Corporation Permanent and Contract Pourakarmikas Association, which held a press meet at Patrakarthara Bhavan here this morning, has clarified that the Pourakarmika was being lowered into a manhole, to retrieve his mobile phone which had fallen into it and not for cleaning purpose.