Not So Smart! MCC using Citizens Money to Clean Up Mess left behind by Out-of-Town Flower Vendors
Mangaluru : “Arise and Awake” all you Officials of Mangaluru City Corporation! Do you know that a heap pile of garbage is left behind by all these out-of-town flower vendors, whenever they do their illegal business during festival time? Have you charged any fees for them to use the City footpaths to do their business? Have till now taken any action for all the garbage they leave behind, and the poor pourakarmikas have to clean the mess? Do you think its fair on your part to use Citizens/Tax payers money to clean up the mess created by these non-Mangaloreans, who don’t even pay ant taxes nor pay any fees? Why are you going to stop this nuisance which has been going on for years?
The ongoing festival period is not just heightening the spirits of people; it is also increasing the size of the mounds of garbage already plaguing the city. Left-over flowers that found no takers during the Diwali festival are adorning the pavements and the streets in popular city areas in the city, painting a grim picture of the garbage collection and disposal system in the city post the festivities. The Mangaluru City Corporation has been nice to these street vendors who come from Bagalkote, Arsikere, Hassan and other parts of Karnataka, in allowing them to make business during various festival days- but in returns while they go back leave all the waste to be cleaned by the workers of MCC- and not only that take away the Swachh of Mangaluru.
Even though the painting on the wall talks about “Arise and Awake” to see that Mangaluru is clean of litter, put up by Ramakrishna Mission- but sadly, a huge pile of garbage/paper is seen right below the wall painted message. (See photo below) Even as the city celebrated Diwali, the streets along Nehru Maidan Road, also adjacent to Town Hall, Market Road, near KSRTC Bus stand-Bejai and other busy shopping areas where these flower vendors do their business have been left with uncleared mountains garbage, including news papers that are seen blowing on to the road. And the poor Pourakarmikas of Antony Waste Co are seen sweeping and collecting the waste and the garbage clearance trucks at some places attempting to carry out the herculean task of ridding the roads of the rotting garbage.
But my question is that, why MCC employees have to clean up the mess left behind by the street vendors? These street vendors are not even the citizens of Mangaluru. They don’t even pay City taxes. Then why is MCC not taking any action against these street vendors who leave behind a big mess, that Pourakarmikas have to clean up. Apart from these street flower vendors, even the street vendors who sell old clothes every Sunday, also leave behind unwanted clothes and every Monday morning, and the Pourakarmikas get stuck with the cleaning job. It’s about time that MCC looks into this situation, and warn these street vendors about their carelessness and ugliness, that is taking out the Swachh of Mangaluru- even though our City is judged as one of the Cleanest City in India.
It was found that some person is collecting parking fees from these street vendors to do their business- while a street vendor said that they even pay the MCC cleaners to do the clean up work- Does MCC knows about as to what illegal activity is going on in collecting money from these street vendors. These Street vendors need to be blamed for the garbage-lined roads. Footpath vendors, mainly selling flowers, would dispose of the waste wherever they set up business. This is a never ending problem-When the vendors wind up for the day, they leave the garbage behind, spilling on the roads, inconveniencing the commuters and shopkeepers around the areas. The MCC officials have turned a blind eye towards the garbage created by these out of town street vendors. These vendors need to be warned, and fined if they leave behind garbage after their business.
Of our many civic problems, we view the problem of visible filth on our streets as a behaviour and attitude problem that can be solved in our lifetime (or rather, this month). This can be achieved without spending money or changing legislation or systems. It requires coming up with smart ideas to change people’s rooted cultural behaviour and attitudes. And making sure those ideas work. And to make this happen we need public support in keeping the city clean, and we also need more volunteers.
It’s time to Arise and Awake- Let’s not be ignorant- let’s appreciate the work done by MCC Pourakarmikas, volunteers of (Swachh Bharath) Ramakrishna Mission and all others who are trying to keep Mangaluru clean. We need to learn manners of cleanliness, we need to join hands with MCC and other voluntary associations who are striving to keep this beautiful coastal city clean. Let’s not dirty it by our ignorance and dirty manners. MCC needs to educate these street vendors about cleanliness, and if they are still ignorant, punish them with hefty fines. Or prohibit them from entering Mangaluru, if they can’t maintain Swachata! Period.
