The Memorandum of Alteration to the Original Budget Estimates 2016-17 (revised budget) presented by Finance T.M. Minister Thomas Isaac has brought cheers to Kozhikode.
One of the major proposals is the upgrading of the 144-year-old Government Mental Health Centre at Kuthiravattam to international standards. A sum of Rs.100 crore has been earmarked for the purpose.
Collector’s plan
The credit for the proposal goes to District Collector N. Prasanth who had already prepared a Rs.300-crore master plan for the revival of the centre. The State government has now sanctioned Rs.100 crore for preliminary activities.
The project includes establishing a new building to treat 100 patients simultaneously, quarters for doctors and nurses and other employees. It will have modern equipment, an auditorium, CCTV cameras and hi-tech security system. The master plan was prepared after planners visited the Bengaluru-based National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences and other international mental health hospitals.
The budget has given priority to the health and education sectors. Similarly many proposals favour infrastructure, sports and culture. The budget has also removed the uncertainty over the future of the multi-crore Kozhikode Light Metro project. However, no funds have been assigned for the project.
The budget has allocated Rs.100 crore for Kozhikode Cyber Park. A sum of Rs.40 crore has been set aside for setting up a cultural centre in memory of renowned writer Vaikom Muhammed Basheer.
Boost for sports
An indoor stadium will be constructed in memory of footballer T. Abdul Rehman (Olympian Rehman). The proposals to construct mini stadiums at Naduvannur and Pullurampara will boost sports in the district.
An amount of Rs.50 crore has been allocated to reconstruct the Moorad bridge at Vadakara on the National Highway.
A sum of Rs.50 crore has been earmarked for the construction of the Vadakara-Mahe canal.
The budget has proposed to set up an online examination centre of the Public Service Commission in Kozhikode at the cost of Rs.10 crore. The centre will help job aspirants in the Malabar region.
