Mysuru: Pourakarmikas of the city, who are the backbone of keeping the city clean, are working extra hours to see that Mysuru regains the first place in the country in cleanliness.

Calling upon the people to join hands with them in this drive, Mysuru Nagara Palike Pourakarmikas Permanent and Contract Association President N. Mara said “We bagged the cleanest city award twice but slipped to fifth place last time. We have to make all efforts to see that we regain the top spot and it is the duty of every citizen in Mysuru to join hands with us.”

He was addressing a press conference at the Pathrakathara Bhavan here yesterday and said Pourakarmikas are going the extra mile to see that the efforts of  the District Administration and Mysuru City Corporation pays off by working additional hours. “The shift of all the Pourakarmikas ends at 2 pm. But now we are working from 6.30 am to 5.30 pm from Dec.24 to Jan.3 as part of the Swachh Abhiyaan. Later, a highly qualified team of survey assessors from the Quality Council of India will arrive in the city on Jan.4, 2018, to conduct the survey,” he said.

He appealed to the citizens to play their part and not to carelessly throw the garbage around and to keep their premises and the surroundings clean. The city has more than 3,000 civic workers, including 1,200 permanent employees. There is lot of young blood among the Pourakarmikas now and 45 per cent of them are women but there is no representation to them at all in the newly-formed association. Mara assured that they would also be given recognition soon.

State Vice-President R. Shivanna, Secretary N. Raju, Manchaiah and General Secretary Srinivas were present at  the press meet.