KOCHI: Koothattukulam municipality and three panchayats in the district scripted history in Plan fund utilisation during the 2016-17 financial year(FY).
According to the Local Self-Government Department (LSGD) data, Koothattukulam was ranked first among the municipalities in the state, utilising 99.73 per cent of the Plan fund. Three panchayats-- Valakam, Mulanthuruthy and Maradi -- had the distinction of utilising the entire fund allocation.
During the previous financial year the government had allocated `1.83 crore as Plan fund for Koothattukulam municipality.
“We have succeeded in utilising 99.73 per cent of the funds allocated. Besides, we have completed several spillover works. If spillovers works are taken into consideration, the fund utilisation in Koothattukulam municipality will touch 116.62 per cent. This is a great achievement and shows the coordination among the ruling and the Opposition members in implementing the development works,” said Prince Paul John, chairman of the municipality.
He said there was an increase of 65 per cent in the municipality’s own fund revenue. It had gone up to `1.92 crore in 2016-17 from the `1.17 crore in 2015-16.
Moreover, Kalady, Keerampara, Ashamannur, Aarakuzha, Chennamangalam, Mannedu, Mazhuvannoor, Edakattuvayal, Pallarimangalam, Kunnukara, Sreemoolanagaram and Ramamangalam panchayats and the three block panchayats -- Angamaly, Alangad and Vypeen -- had utilised more than 90 per cent of the total Plan fund during the same period.
However,the Plan fund utilisation in Kochi Corporation was poor,with less than 50 per cent of the fund spent.
The municipality had achieved another milestone when it became the first open defecation-free (ODF) municipality in the district under the Swachh Bharat Urban (SBU).