Newly elected Mayor of Mangaluru, Premananda Shetty, said he will continue the ambitious programmes, including paperless office, online payment facilities and property tax survey, initiated by his predecessor Diwakar.
After assuming charge as mayor at his office in MCC building on Wednesday, Shetty told mediapersons that he will make all efforts to implement the assurances made by BJP during the MCC polls.
Development programmes will be implemented by utilising the grants from state and Central government, Shetty said and added that he will take MLAs and MP into confidence.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has been playing a vital role in getting funds from the Centre for the development of Mangaluru, he added.
The Mayor admitted that many projects in the MCC such as online services were facing technical glitches. He urged citizens to bear with minor issues.
"The problems will be rectified soon," he added. He said that the drinking water scheme will be effectively implemented. Special thrust will be laid on solid waste management and UGD line upgradation. Recruitment of civic workers and deploying more vehicles will be considered towards effective management of solid waste. Composting of wet waste will be encouraged among households.
People's opinions will be gathered at the City Level Advisory Forum (CLAF), the Mayor said. Shetty said he is aware of the issues related to distribution of water bills. In many places, the bills are not regularly distributed to consumers due to the shortage of MPW personnel.
Additional personnel will be deployed to ease the distribution of water bills, he said and added that an amount of Rs 125 cr was released under Mahatma Gandhi Nagar Vikas Yojana.
Responding to a query, the Mayor said efforts will be initiated to sort out the issues related to the markets in Urwa, Kadri and Kankanady.
Deputy Mayor Sumagala, Mangalore South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath, Mangalore North MLA Dr Y Bharat Shetty, BJP City Mandal president Vijay Kumar Shetty, MUDA Chairman and district BJP spokesperson Ravishankar Mijar, former Mayor Diwakar and others were present.