Showering petals to sweeping roads: ‘Swachh Bharat’ remains just another programme

The school students were made to shower flower petals on local bodies secretary Ashok Gupta, Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria and MC commissioner Pradeep Aggarwal as they entered the venue.

Hundreds of MC sweepers were made to wait for hours outside the venue before the arrival of Gupta. With decorated brooms in their hands, they were instructed not to spread in other areas.

It was around 11 am when Gupta arrived with MC officials and then also the sweeping did not start. First a long programme of taking oath, listening to patriotic songs and speeches went inside as sweepers haplessly waited outside the school to get a nod from MC officials.

Asked to queue along the gate, one of the sweepers said, “Had we followed our normal routine, many areas would have been cleaned till now. What is the purpose of standing at the gate with brooms in hand? We have been standing for two hours and MC officials have told us not to move anywhere.”

A two-minute posing with brooms was done by MC officials along with Mayor and Gupta sweeping already clean area in the school.
Sources in MC said that elaborate arrangements were made for the chief secretary, local bodies, who was expected to visit the city for the launch but at last moment his visit was cancelled and Gupta came. “All these flower showering and other ceremonies were planned for him but Gupta came,” said the source. Contacted, A S Sekhon, health incharge (MC), did not respond to calls.

Gupta told the media that by 2017, all cities of the state would have 100 per cent water supply, sewerage treatment plants, night shelters, bus shelters and other such facilities.

All praises for Ludhiana MC, Gupta said, “As I entered the city this morning, I must admit that it looked much cleaner as compared to last around 10 years.” He gave an example of Japanese fans who cleaned the football stadium after a match in Brazil recently.

Gupta added that the MC should adopt some practice under which people who litter on roads and public places be fined.

Similar scenes were witnessed at Bachat Bhawan when ADC Amrit Kaur Gill launched the drive with DC office staff. Staff posed with brooms, all sweeping at the same place for around two minutes and then brooms were left there. However, some employees also cleaned their personal cabins.

Even at Punjab Agricultural University, new brooms were purchased for officials who along with Vice-Chancellor B S Dhillon swept varsity roads. “It was quite funny when we were sweeping a clean patch of road and all officers followed action at the same place, making it funnier. It was more of a formality,” said a PAU employee.