The Hindu 26.03.2013
Kannur budget to focus on infrastructure, services
Envisages revenue of Rs.79 crore, expenditure of Rs.74 crore.
The Kannur municipal budget for 2013-14 that focuses on improvement of road facilities, renovation and protection of assets, and upgradation of services and facilities, earmarks a revenue of Rs.79.14 crore, an expenditure of Rs.74.43 crore, and a surplus of Rs.4.70 crore.
Presenting the budget at the municipal council meeting here on Monday, Municipal Vice Chairman C. Sameer said the municipality was currently implementing the solid waste treatment projects, which had always remained a major bother for the civic body, and the decisions taken to solve the drinking water scarcity in parts of the municipality. The municipality had succeeded in enhancing road and other infrastructure facilities, and in launching welfare and development projects.
This year’s budget proposals included projects included in the People’s Planning project for 2013-14, Mr. Sameer said. A shopping avenue, including a modern theatre and an entertainment facility, would be developed near the S.N. Park. It would be aimed at attracting tourists reaching the Payyambalam beach area.
Part of the municipal land would be used for constructing the overhead water tank for supplying drinking water for residents in the Payyambalam area after demolishing the Sangeetha Theatre which now stood near the S.N. Park. The remaining plot would be used for constructing the shopping avenue, he said, adding Rs.50 lakh had been earmarked for the project in the budget.
Solar energy-based high mast lights would be installed at the A.K.G Junction, Taluk Office, Police Club Junction, Payyambalam Girls High School Junction, Thayyil Bazar, and the Press Club Junction. An amount of Rs.45 lakh had been set apart for this.
The budget also earmarked Rs.10 lakh for developing a traffic circle near the Peethambara Park to relieve traffic bottleneck near the State Bank of India main branch here.
The municipality would also construct a bus bay near the District Veterinary Centre for the convenience of passengers of long-distance and town service buses. The budget allocated Rs.10 lakh for the project.
A building for conducting exhibitions, an art gallery, and a mini conference hall, would be built near the Government Municipal High School here at a cost of Rs.25 lakh.
Another Rs.25 lakh would be utilised for renovation of foot path along the Thayatheru-city-Thayyil-Chovva road that connected the National Highway at Thezhukkilpeedika.
The budget also included a proposal for maintaining and renovating institutions and assets of the municipality. Rs.10 lakh would be allocated for this, and a sum of Rs.20 lakh for linking the road across the Fire Station and the BOT Bus Terminal.
Budget proposals also included the development of a cricket stadium at Marakkarkandy here at a cost of Rs.25 lakh. The stadium, to be named Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, would be built in association with the Kerala Cricket Association.
CCTV cameras would be installed in the municipal offices to allow the chairperson, secretary and vice chairman, and municipal engineer to monitor the services being offered to the public to ensure transparency.
Touch screen facility would be installed for the public to get the status of their applications. The earmarked amount would be Rs.10 lakh. The budget also set apart Rs.15 lakh for a centre for making paper bags, cups and plats at Marakkarkandy as a measure to popularise paper products.
The municipality would form a municipal rapid action mobile force to act against encroachment, waste disposal, vehicle repair on public roads, and unauthorised parking, among others. An amount of Rs.15 lakh would be used for it. Rs.2.10 crore had been set aside as ward allotment. The budget also included the allocation of Rs.15 lakh for constructing a strong room and record room at the municipality.
Municipal chairperson M.C. Sreeja presided over the function.
