The Hindu 28.03.2013
Vaikom Budget passed
The annual Budget for Vaikom Municipality showing an income of Rs.24,02,39,092, an expenditure of Rs.22,61,13,170 and a surplus of Rs.1,41,25,922 has been passed after a discussion on Wednesday.
The Budget, which focuses on social welfare, solar energy utilisation, renovation of colonies and strengthening of the infrastructure facilities for tourism development, has called for innovative schemes for generating revenue. These include introduction fees for permission for mobile towers, service charge for cable
TV connections, service charge for autos and taxi cars and introduction of priced application forms for the various certificates issued by the Municipality.
The Budget also calls for direct collection of fees from the bus owners for the use of municipal bus stand and introduction of fee for collection of hotel waste.
The Budget plans to terminate the wayside hawkers and introduce evening market at Sreemoolam.. Rs. 2 lakh has been earmarked for the purpose. It has provided Rs.5 lakh for the cleaning of Andhakarathode and another Rs.8 lakh for its revival. It has also provided Rs.19.50 lakh for renovation of houses with special focus on homemakers as heads of the house.
The Budget said the Municipality has submitted Rs.3 crore project to the District Planning Committee for cleaning of the water-bodies and public places making use of the funds from MGNREGA. Other major projects include an open air auditorium near the general post office, renovation of roads and sewage canals, installation of solar panels at the Municipal office, the Vaikom Satyagraha Cultural Research Centre, parks and a public cemetery.
