'MCC's efforts got Mangaluru listed under Smart City project'

: Mangaluru was included in the Centre's Smart City project due to the untiring efforts of the city corporation during his one-year tenure, outgoing city mayor K Harinath said today.
Addressing reporters at Circuit house here,he said he was successful in turning the city corporation into a people friendly administrative set-up with the help of all his associates and members.
The office at Suratkal had already been inaugurated and the other two would start functioning this month, he said.
Harinath said his only regret was the attempt to turn Mangaluru into a plastic-free zone during his tenure could not be successfully completed.

However,MCC would continue the effort and with people's support, could turn the city completely plastic-free, he said.
Election to the posts of mayor, deputy mayor and chairpersons of various standing committees is slated for March 9.

With Congress having an absolute majority in the corporation having 35 members in the 60-member council, the party nominees could easily win the elections.
The names of three women corporators Appi, Kavita Sanil and Pratibha Kulai from the party are doing the rounds for the mayor's post, earmarked for women this year.
While Appi is a three-time corporator, Kavita was elected twice and Prathibha is a first-time corporator.