Mysuru: Even as Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) is making all efforts to regain the top spot in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, there are impediments in its way by the very people who can keep the city clean.

Yes, hundreds of Pourakarmikas gathered in front of the MCC pitching tents on either side of the footpath on Sayyaji Rao Road, here this morning, in response to the indefinite State-wide agitation called by the Contract Pourakarmikas.

In all, there are 1,648 temporary workers and another 230 in Vani Vilas Water Works who joined the agitation bringing the garbage collection since morning to a grinding halt. However, the permanent workers numbering 570 have gone about their work in important places collecting garbage.

The civic workers in uniform began their dharna in the morning holding placards, beating drums and raising slogans demanding regularisation of their service.

Mysuru Nagara Pourakarmikara Sangha President   N. Mara, speaking to Star of Mysore, said: “We will continue our strike till the demands are met. Our State President and former Mysuru Mayor Narayan is leading the agitation in Bengaluru in Freedom Park. If Chief Minister Siddharamaiah decides to come and redress our grievances, we can withdraw the agitation.”

“As it is, the garbage collection is quite poor as can be seen from the photographs published in your newspaper often. If the Pourakarmikas resort to strike, one can imagine the impact it has on our daily lives,” said Neela, a concerned citizen in Vijayangar 3rd Stage, pointing to the piled up garbage in front of her house.

“If the Government does not step in and stem the rot, the whole city will be stinking in no time. We just cannot afford to antagonise the Pourakarmikas who are the lifeline to a clean healthy life,” said Raghu, a resident of Jayalakshmipuram.

“The way people treat us when we go to collect the garbage is very inhuman. We are involved in one of the most difficult jobs of keeping the city clean by collecting all kinds of refuse. But neither the Government nor the public are bothered about our welfare,” said Pourakarmika Raju speaking to Star of Mysore.

The strike ironically has also hit the Ward of Mayor M.J. Ravikumar, as piles of garbage lay strewn on the lanes and bylanes, even as garbage tippers stood parked as silent witnesses.

City President Srinivas, District President N. Narasimha, General Secretary Murugesh, Members R. Vijay, Dhanraj, Armugam, Prof. K.S. Bhagawan and others joined the Pourakarmikas in the protest.

K.R. Sub-Division ACP Dharmappa and  K.R. Police  Inspector Prakash provided Police bandobust.