Initiatives to attain self-sufficiency in agriculture, women empowerment, and employment generation received maximum attention in the Kollam district panchayat’s Budget for 2022-23.
The Budget showing a revenue of ₹183.41 crore, expenditure of ₹175.73 crore, and surplus of ₹7.67 crore was presented by vice-president V. Sumalal here on Wednesday. While the Budget envisages innovative projects, including setting up of meteorological centres in selected schools, it also features several environment-friendly projects.
“Hospitals will be upgraded, industrial sector will be developed and jobs will be created. The tourism sector will be brought to global attention,” said Ms. Sumalal, presenting the Budget.
Making youth welfare a priority, ₹4 crore has been set aside for Skilltech, a project that offers employment to persons who have passed ITI, polytechnic, and engineering. While Malakhakoottam, which offers on-job training with stipend for women who have completed general or BSc nursing, gets ₹3.5 crore, ₹3 core has been earmarked for Agritech, a project for youngsters who have completed VHSE and BSc Agriculture.
The allocations in the agricultural sector include ₹2 crore for farm equipment, ₹1 crore for Tharushurahita Kollam, ₹50 lakh for Harithagramam, ₹25 lakh for Farm Mitra project, ₹50 lakh for progeny orchard, and ₹10 lakh for Desinganadu nursery. While ₹1 crore goes into the development of various farms under the district panchayt, ecoshops to market the products get ₹50 lakh.
While Kollam District Hospital receives ₹5 crore for various projects, ₹1 crore goes for reviving the traditional sector. People living in extreme poverty will be provided housing as part of Swapnakoodu project and ₹2 crore has been allocated for the project. Ten homeless transpersons will be given houses as part of another project.
A sum of ₹2 crore has been earmarked for starting farm tourism at Kottukkal and ₹3 crore will be used for setting up a domestic animal museum at the Kuriyottumala government high-tech dairy farm.
Since human-animal conflict is increasing in many parts, ₹3 crore has been set aside for tin fencing, solar fencing, and digging trenches. Other allocations include those for veterinary medical shop, exclusive poultry showroom, goat breeding unit, egg outlet at Thottathara hatchery, ABC programme, and the production of value-added products.
