Udupi: K. Raghupati Bhat, MLA, said on Thursday that civic workers were the backbone of all urban areas as they performed the vital work of keeping towns and cities clean.

He was presiding over the inaugural function of Pourakarmikara Dina (Civic Workers’ Day) organised by the Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC), here.

Mr. Bhat said that the Udupi CMC and the earlier Udupi Town Municipal Council (TMC) had won several awards for cleanliness. This was entirely due to the efforts put in by the civic workers.

The government had also realised the importance of the civic workers and had regularised their services throughout the State.

“It is not possible to run any city or town without the civic workers,” he said.

The Union government was focusing on Swachh Bharat programme which aimed at furthering cleanliness and he said that there is now awareness about cleanliness among the people.

However, some still continued with their old ways and threw the garbage on the side of roads.

He said that a change in the mindset was necessary to reach the goal of total cleanliness as seen in places such as Singapore.

The civic workers should give importance to their health. They should compulsorily work with the gloves and shoes provided to them. This was essential for the viewpoint of their safety. They should shun alcoholism and smoking.

They should take advantage of the regular medical checkup programmes being organised by the CMC. The Udupi CMC was committed to providing all facilities to its 194 civic workers, Mr. Bhat said.