The Hindu        24.03.2017 

Novelties galore in corporation Budget

She Lodge proposal goes a long way in ensuring women’s safety

The Kozhikode Municipal Corporation proposes to construct a ‘She Lodge’ near the railway station for the convenience of travelling women. Presenting the Budget for the year 2017-18, Deputy Mayor Meera Darshak said Rs. 50 lakh had been set aside for the project, which will come up on the corporation land.

She Lodge is among the many novelties in the Budget. Rs. 25 lakh has been earmarked for a solar power plant at the corporation office. Rs. 1 crore has been set aside for the Kidson Corner renovation project, which includes a garden, multi-level parking, and a commercial complex.

The Budget proposes to convert the Corporation Health Dispensary at West Hill into a health complex with Ayurvedic, Homoeopathic, and Allopathic treatment available under one roof. The complex will also have a mini-library and a garden. Rs. 1 crore has been set apart for the project.

The Bachelor’s Quarters at Vellayil will be demolished to construct a new one along with a commercial complex.

The corporation is also planning projects under Kudumbasree CDS, including a micro-emerging fund, which will help members earn livelihood, besides encouraging new entrepreneurs. Rs. 1 lakh has been earmarked for supply of nutrition kits to HIV positive people under the Kudumbasree’s special neighbourhood groups.

The Budget proposes ‘Abhayam’, a new housing scheme, to provide financial help of Rs. 2.5 lakh to five homeless people in every ward. Rs. 9.37 crore has been set aside for the project.

The Hindu        24.03.2017 

More outlay for health, sanitation

Kozhikode Corporation Budget lays stress on education, infrastructure development

Health and sanitation received top attention in the 2017-18 corporation Budget which was presented on Thursday.

Presenting the Budget, Deputy Mayor and chairperson of the finance standing committee Meera Darshak said the civic body planned to improve the functioning of health centres in the city in such a way that the poor would have easy access to health care.

The Budget has set aside Rs. 1 crore for the establishment of a health complex at West Hill. More cleaning staff will be hired.

Efforts will be made to make the city plastic-free by setting up plastic shredding centres and reviving the plastic recycling unit at West Hill.

There is also a plan to impose penalties on those who use plastic of less than 50 micron thickness, Ms. Darshak said.

Stress has also been laid on welfare, education, and infrastructure development.

Surplus Budget

She presented a surplus Budget with a projected revenue of Rs. 398 crore and expenditure of Rs. 385 crore.

The revenue includes a carry-over amount of Rs. 32.55 crore from the previous financial year, revenue income of Rs. 199.67 crore, and capital income of Rs. 165.77 crore. The Budget proposes a surplus of Rs. 12.13 crore.

The Deputy Mayor also presented a revised Budget for the financial year 2016-17 with an income of Rs. 324.58 crore and expenditure of Rs. 292.02 crore. The hour-long Budget session was chaired by Mayor Thottathil Raveendran, who, in his introductory speech, stressed the need to regain public participation in local self-governance at a time when it was entering its second phase.

He urged the public, their representatives as well as officials to work in tandem to make the second phase of local self-governance a success.

Staff shortage

The Mayor pointed out that scarcity of staff was a major hurdle to the smooth functioning of the corporation office, and that appointment of more staffers was being considered.

He appreciated the efforts of the staff who often worked overtime for speedy disposal of files.

The Budget will be put to discussion on Friday and Saturday, at the end of which, it will be passed with amendments if any.