The budget estimates of the Alappuzha district panchayat for the 2015-16 fiscal, which was presented by vice-president Thampi Mettuthara, provided thrust for the agriculture sector.
The budget expected a total revenue of Rs. 244.49 crore and a total expenditure of Rs. 243.97 crore, thereby denoting a surplus of Rs. 52.03 lakh. The budget has allocated 40 per cent for the production sector and 30 per cent for the service sector.
The district panchayat plans to coordinate with the local bodies in the district to promote fallow land farming, intermediary crop cultivation, flower farming, terrace farming undertaken by community development society (CDS) clusters, and improving basic facilities at paddy clusters. An allocation of Rs. 3 crore has been made for paddy cultivation. Another allocation of Rs. 1.5 crore has been made for promoting the cultivation of other crops. Amounts of Rs. 1 crore and Rs. 2 crore have been earmarked for coconut and vegetable cultivation respectively. In addition, Rs. 1 crore has been set aside for a scheme, titled Udyanalakshmi, which will be implemented during the financial year to support gardening.
A decentralised waste management project will also be launched in association with the other panchayats. Maintenance grants will be sanctioned for the Mavelikkara District Hospital and the District Ayurveda Hospital.
Other proposals
Among its other proposals, the panchayat will organise free mammography tests for the diagnosis of breast cancer. Mobile units will be operated for the initiative. A scheme will be launched for the medical care of women aged from 16 to 50 years. Health schemes will be implemented for cashew workers in the district.
In the education sector, the district panchayat plans to organise vacation classes, yoga training, martial art camps and swimming classes. Reverse osmosis plants and buses will also be provided for schools run by the district panchayat.