The Budget for 2013-2014 of the Kollam Corporation
showing a revenue of Rs.397,78,51,596, expenditure of Rs.396,25,81,641,
and a surplus of Rs.31,52,69,955 was presented on Monday by G. Lalu,
Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Corporation’s Finance Standing
Committee.

The Budget proposes new roads in the 55
city divisions, a square in memory of actor Jayan, a project to protect
Sasthamcotta Lake, the major drinking water source of the city, a
“Karuthal” scheme for security of school students, protection of
mangrove forests, and revision of taxes. The scheme, at a cost of Rs.15
lakh, proposes to inform parents by SMS the absence of students from
school.

The Corporation will also launch a
karate-training programme for schoolgirls as part of a self-defence
project. More facilities in the public education sector have been
proposed in the Budget.

An allocation of Rs.10.10
crore has been made for new roads. Footpaths along the Kadappakada
over-bridge will be constructed at a cost of Rs.1.27 crore. A sum of
Rs.3 crore has been allocated for renovating the drainage network and
Rs.8.12 crore set apart for constructing new drains at nine locations.

With
the inclusion of the city in the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban
Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme, an elevated corridor from Polayathodu
to Anandawalleshwaram has been proposed and Rs.5 crore allotted for the
project.

Development of the Kadappakada,
Shakthikulangara and Ramankulangara junctions and construction of a
subway at the taluk office junction and a flyover at Eravipuram also
come under the JNNURM scheme.

For completing the
renovation work of the Valiayakada market and the Andamukham bus stand,
Rs.5.43 crore has been allocated. A shopping complex and an
international convention centre at Andhamukham will be constructed at a
cost Rs.4 crore and a community hall at Cantonment will be built at Rs.3
crore.

A scheme to provide aid for renal patients to
undergo dialysis will be implemented. Palliative care units will be
opened at all primary health centres and health clubs will be
established on the Kollam beach and near the boat jetty junction.

Kollam
will become the first corporation in the State to provide birth,
marriage and death certificates from 1970 through its website, Mr. Lalu
said. An allocation of Rs.73.72 crore has been made for a sewage
treatment plant and online facility will be set up for booking the C.
Keshavan Memorial Town Hall.

As part of energy
conservation measures, non-conventional energy sources will be tapped.
Solar panels will soon be installed at the corporation headquarters at a
cost of Rs.1 crore to meet its power needs.

Mr. Lalu
said Rs.50 lakh would be allocated for installing solar panels at
schools. He said the entire city would be brought under streetlights at a
cost of Rs.50 lakh.

Mr. Lalu said Rs.10 crore would
be allocated for construction of the Jayan Square. A swimming pool would
be constructed at the Cantonment maidan spending Rs.35 lakh.