Thrusting focus on agrarian projects and the development of backward communities, the Ernakulam district panchayat passed a budget of Rs.293.73 crore for 2014-15 on Friday.
District panchayat president Eldhose Kunnappilly said that the panchayat is expecting a surplus amount of Rs.68 lakh with expected income of Rs.293.73 crore and an expenditure of Rs.293.05 crore.
A multi-speciality veterinary hospital at Varikoli at Perumbavoor, AC waiting sheds, K Karunakaran Memorial Political Research Centre and a hi-tech library have been planned.The district panchayat has set aside Rs.65 lakh for agriculture mechanisation, Rs.25 lakh for a cow farm at Neriamangalam, `60 lakh to provide subsidy for dairy products and Rs.10 lakh for focusing on resource development in the fisheries sector.
A fish hatchery will be constructed at Kurikkulam for Rs.2.5 crore. The panchayat has also set aside Rs.6.30 lakh for implementing an integrated vegetable cultivation scheme. A rabbit farm will be constructed for Rs.10 lakh at Angamaly. Meanwhile, Rs.6.75 crore has been allotted to water havesting. A centre for selling products made by women will be constructed for Rs.1.48 crore. A fish landing centre will be set up for Rs.27.50 lakh.
The panchayat has also set aside Rs.2 crore for a multispeciality veterinary hospital. Karinkozhi cultivation will also be a primary agenda. However, the panchayat has not earmarked any funds for the project in the budget. Regarding road development, the district panchayat will utilise Rs.32.60 crore for maintenance works.
AC waiting sheds will also be constructed, the president said. Taekwondo training has been earmarked Rs.5 lakh during this year. The panchayat is expecting to receive Rs.41 lakh through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. Rs.10 lakh has been marked for the school lunch programme. A project ‘Vijayadeepom’ will be launched by the district panchayat to ensure cent per cent pass in Class-10 exams. A sum of Rs.50 lakh has been set aside for the project.
The panchayat has also set aside Rs.5.11 crore for school maintenance works. Rs.10 lakh will be spent on purchase of overcoats for teachers. Rs.1.10 lakh will be spent on purchasing computers in schools.Rs.5.50 lakh for literary forums for youths, K Karunakaran Political Study and Library will be constructed for Rs.1 crore. The panchayat has earmarked Rs.6.50 crore for constructing a new block for the new block in Aluva district hospital. Rs.1 crore will be used to set up a gynae theatre.Rs.23-lakh homeo and ayurveda medicine will be distributed this year.Chittatukara, Mukalel thattu, Nagapuzha and Chattupara drinking water projects will be carried out for Rs.20 lakh. Rs.50 lakh will be spent by the district panchayat for the education and welfare projects of the SC/ST community.
Projects such as ‘Enne Ariyan’, which will focus on giving sexual awareness classes to school students, will be held. Rs.50 lakh has been earmarked exclusively for literacy programme. The district panchayat will also initiate the construction of a literacy bhavan. Meanwhile, the panchayat budget has also laid stress on several social welfare schemes allotting Rs.12 lakh to the HIV-affected.
Development projects for SC/ST communities worth Rs.79 lakh, Rs.23.54 crore for Indira Awas Yojana and construction of an SC Women’s workshed have also been planned. Rs.37 lakh has been allotted to food security programmes. Rs.88 lakh will be set aside for the construction of SC colony anganwadis.