VIJAYAWADA: In an effort to improve its rank in Swachh Survekshan-2018 survey of the Union Government, Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has roped in traditional artistes to conduct Kala Jathas for sensitising public about the individual toilets, garbage segregation and the ill effects of open defecation. A group of 15 people performed Kala Jathas near Kaleswara Rao Market, Sivalayam Centre and near Gandhi Statue, Wynchipet in One Town on Saturday, attracting a large number of people. The group performed various genres like Burrakatha to entice the attention of the public.
‘’We have been sensitising public and spreading awareness on the importance of cleanliness in many places across the State. We are glad to join hands with VMC in their mission for Swachh Vijayawada,’’ said one of the performer in the folk artiste troupe.
‘’The corporation has decided to use the services of traditional artistes to spread awareness on keeping the environment clean, avoiding open defecation and public urination, segregation of waste and composting biodegradable waste at houses,’’ said Municipal Corporation Commissioner J Nivas.
Nivas was not only happy with the group’s performance but also impressed with the success of the new strategy to gather crowds for sensitization. A team of representatives from World Council and City Data (WCCD)- ISO 37 120 conducted a workshop on certification at VMC Command Control Room here on Saturday. Officials of traffic, transport, fire, planning and APSRTC participated in the workshop aimed at providing certification and to improve the quality of life and facilities offered to citizens.
In the first phase, WCCD has awarded ISO certification to Surat, Jamshedpur and Pune. In the second phase, certification would be awarded to Chennai, Ahmedabad and Vijayawada, said WCCD representatives. Later, they convened a meeting with Nivas at his camp office and presented a power-point presentation over the certification process.