The district panchayat’s budget for 2015-16 has earmarked Rs.9.71 crore for the development of the agriculture sector in the district.
The budget, which envisages a revenue of Rs.136,28,43,347 and an expenditure of Rs.108,21,02,605, gives special emphasis on the agriculture sector. An amount of Rs.3 crore has been set apart for implementing a project for promoting organic vegetable farming in schools in the district. All panchayats in the district will be declared organic farming panchayats.
The budget, presented by panchayat vice president T. Krishnan, also earmarked Rs.80 lakh for development of paddy cultivation.
Mr. Krishnan, who is also chairman of panchayat finance standing committee, said in his budget speech that poly houses would be set up in all government high schools and higher secondary schools and aided schools with the government’s permission. Block-level cold storage facilities would be established for organically cultivated vegetables. The budget set apart Rs.20 lakh for the purpose.
The district panchayat will adopt the students of the Aralam Farm High School. A budgetary allocation of Rs.25 lakh has been made for the project. Also proposed is a project for installing sanitary napkin vending machines in schools. The budget allocates Rs.40 lakh for the project.
Health schemes
Another major allocation is Rs.81 lakh for providing financial assistance to grama panchayats for palliative care activities. An additional Rs.20 lakh has been earmarked for supplying nutritional food to bed-ridden patients in the financial backward families.
The budget has set apart Rs.1 crore for converting the electricity connection of the District Hospital to high tension connection. Also earmarked are Rs.25 lakh for providing nutritious food kits to HIV/AIDS patients, Rs.20 lakh for nutritious food for tuberculosis patients, and Rs.15 lakh for strengthening dialysis unit of the District Hospital.
The budget has allocated Rs.25 lakh for sterilising stray dogs. The project will be implemented by utilising the mobile veterinary unit at Peralassery.
Education schemes
Mr. Krishnan said the district panchayat will also implement a Rs.50-lakh project for purchase of musical instruments in 24 model high schools under the panchayat. An amount of Rs.50 lakh has been earmarked for arranging study rooms for students in the Scheduled Caste families. A project for linking all institutions and model schools under the panchayat through the video linking facility at the District Industries Centre here will also be implemented, for which Rs.10 lakh has been allocated.
While Rs.38 lakh is earmarked for the Mukulam comprehensive education project of the panchayat, Rs.2.11 crore is allocated for school building construction, Rs.1.63 crore for school building repair works, Rs.1.5 crore for purchase of furniture in schools, Rs.1.35 crore for school toilet and drinking water facilities and Rs.14.10 crore for a Plus Two school complex. Other major allocations in the budget is Rs.23.85 crore for road maintenance.
