Media Release
Mangaluru, Oct 23: GST and Customs Commissionerates at Mangaluru have always been in the forefront in celebrating the annual Swachhta Pakhwada by bringing intense focus on various dimensions and practices of swachhata/cleanliness and also to showcase strong commitments towards a clean and better India. Continuing this tradition, a 15-day programme has been chalked out from October 15 to 30 to celebrate a Swachhta Pakhwada 2018.
As a part of Swachhta Pakhwada fortnight 2018, a workshop was organised by Central Excise, Central Tax (GST) and Customs, at Nethravati Hall, New Custom House, Panambur, on October 22 presided by Dr M Subramanyam, commissioner of Central Excise, Central Tax(GST) & Customs Mangaluru. The workshop was inaugurated by Swami Jitakamanandaji of Sri Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaluru who was the chief guest and Mohammed Nazeer, commissioner of Mangaluru City Corporation was the guest of honor.
Dr M.Subramanyam, commissioner of Central Tax (GST) & Customs in his address, highlighted various activities undertaken by both Commissionerates and the importance of cleanliness in ensuring a better quality of life and as a catalyst for economic development. He added that on recommendation from Corporation officials, selected sanitation workers were felicitated to acknowledge their great role in maintaining Mangaluru so clean and neat. The chief guest Swami Jitakamanandaji, in his address, highlighted the efforts initiated by Ramakrishna Mission towards cleanliness in Mangaluru city and called upon the officers to actively participate in the Swachchta activities organized by the mission. He underscored that this message must properly be transmitted among school children for better and desirable
results. Mohammed Nazeer, commissioner of Mangaluru City Corporation, in his address, mentioned the challenges faced by MCC in maintaining the cleanliness in Mangaluru city and informed the gathering that Mangaluru City Corporation received ‘India’s best city in solid waste management’ award under Swachh Survekshan 2018.
Other special invitees also shared their experiences. Smitha Shenoy, assistant professor and HOD, department of Journalism at Besant Women’s College, Mangaluru, stressed on the need for self awareness among individuals concerned to put in concerted efforts towards minimizing generation of solid waste and its management. She elaborated how motivated volunteers have been transforming certain dirty spots of the city to make them presentable. Ranjan Bellarpady, coordinator, Human Excellence Programmes, Sri Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaluru mentioned the efforts taken by the mission in imparting awareness of ‘Swachch Manas’ among school children and that about 10,000 children in 108 schools have been covered so far. Madhu S Manohar, environment engineer, Mangaluru Municipal Corporation, elaborately and comprehensively explained the efforts initiated, challenges faced and work undertaken by MCC to keep the city clean and neat.
During the workshop, 10 ‘pourakarmikas’ who were identified and selected by corporation for commendable service rendered by them towards maintaining cleanliness in Mangaluru City, were felicitated by the commissioner, Central Tax and Customs for their dedicated work in the area of cleanliness.
The programme was attended by Abdul Hameed, president, Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mangaluru, representatives of MRPL, customs brokers, steamer agents, stevedores, importer-exporters, members of trade and industry, officers and staff of the Commissionerates.
Prior to this workshop, the Swachhta Pakhwada was started by taking of pledge by officers and staff on October 15. Subsequently, all the officers were involved in cleaning the office premises, segregating, weeding out and safe keeping of old records and disposal of identified records.
Also, several other activities like installation of incinerators in Government Girls Hostels in the coastal districts of Karnataka to encourage clean disposal of used sanitary napkins; cleaning of public space in Government Girls High School, Balmatta; replacement of plastic disposables in offices with more environment friendly alternatives, plantation and compost pit development, wall painting etc, will be taken up by Customs and Central Excise & Central Tax formations at Mangaluru, Karwar, Udupi, Puttur, Honnavar and Kumta in the coming week of Swachchta Pakhwada.