Civic body ropes in banks to keep Amritsar clean

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 1

Taking a significant step as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the Municipal Corporation is all set to rope in public as well as private sector banks to put up dustbins and adopt roundabouts in their localities. They have assured to motivate people to dispose of waste in a proper manner instead of littering streets. Incidentally, the MC has failed to sustain the cleanliness campaign till now.

The banks have also volunteered to adopt the roundabouts located in their localities and would also publish awareness messages to keep the environ clean on its stationery. This would motivate their clients in contributing to maintain a clean environment. The banks would also make posters and banners and distribute pamphlets among their clients.

MC Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal took the initiative to call representatives of banks located in various parts of the city and 93 different branches of banks participated in the meet held at the Town Hall office.

Sabharwal convinced them to be active part of the campaign and the banks too have agreed to the same. The step would cost Rs 5 lakh.

“Actually, the idea cropped up in my mind that banks can play the role of ambassador to the city as they connect with lakhs of residents daily. The residents who go to banks daily would definitely notice the steps being taken by their respective banks to make the environ clean. It would motivate them to ape it. Every bank branch has promised to part with at least Rs 5,000 to make it a success. The banks would set up dustbins in their surroundings,” he said.

Sabharwal said school and college students would also be included in the campaign in the days to come by conducting awareness rallies.