Kudos to private cleanliness drive

Formation of ward-based associations to ensure civic amenities like cleanliness and security comes as cheery news. At present, more than 100 associations are operating across the city each having an organizational structure, the funding for which is provided by their members. Be that as it may, we do not see it as a substitute for what the city corporation ward commissioners are supposed to be responsible for delivering. Does it not reflect the laid-back attitude on the part of the ward commissioners although we believe they are carrying out their functions but perhaps not to the extent they should have?
We are aware of the fact that DCC election has been long over-due and that it faces financial crunch but all the same, they are designated officials of the corporation anyway. So the plea falls short of justification. As long as they hold office, they must deliver services required of them not least because the DCC also collects taxes from the city dwellers which should oblige them to play their role accordingly. We also believe that the DCC election should be held sooner rather than later to reinvigorate its activities.
Although the initiative of the city dwellers does not suffice to meet the burgeoning demand of a city of 15 million, they should win plaudits for self-motivated actions to keep their wards clean and secure. More to the point, there is a lesson for the ward commissioners to work in tandem with these private association initiatives in order to provide adequate civic amenities to city dwellers. We also suggest that the government find ways to strengthen the structural as well as operational basis of these private initiatives to bring about synergies with the activities of the DCC.