KOZHIKODE: The annual budget of the Kozhikode District Panchayat for 2007-08 has forecast income of Rs.79.69 crore and expenditure of Rs.78.58 crore, which accounts for a surplus of Rs.1.11 crore.

Addressing the budget session at the district panchayat conference hall here on Tuesday, district panchayat president K.P. Kunahmmedkutty said the budget projected the tenets of social justice and comprehensive development. The budget provided for an increased allocation of 10 per cent.

The opening balance is Rs.2.01 crore and Plan allocation Rs.15.54 crore.

The maintenance grant provided is Rs.29.13 crore and the other financial assistance of Rs.13.45 crore form the major components of assistance. A sum of Rs.19.56 crore is earmarked for poverty alleviation schemes.

In the backdrop of the crisis faced by agriculturists, the District Panchayat budget makes an allocation of Rs.10.06 crore for farm uplift with focus on cole land development.

Projects for cole land development have already been drawn up for Avalapandi, Cherandathur, Velam, and Ayyanchery in the district. More paddy-cultivable areas will be brought under the cole land development project during the year.

With assistance of Kudumbasree self-help groups, value-added products will be manufactured in rice growing areas. The budget also envisages comprehensive development of the coconut sector including manufacture of value-added products.

Soft drink units

Setting up of neera and similar soft drink-making units besides increasing vegetable and fruit and vegetable processing units are also on the agenda.

Mr. Kunahmmedkutty said a sum of Rs.59.02 crore would be disbursed by the panchayat directly for welfare programmes with Rs.19.56 crore allocated for programmes to benefit the Below Poverty Line sections.

The expected income under the capital head was Rs.2.5 crore and an equal sum had been projected as expenditure.

The industrial sector will be provided uplift through provision of industrial plots for small-scale entrepreneurs and a sum has been allocated for completion of the Aripara minor irrigation project, he said.

The budget gives thrust to the Comprehensive Education Project launched by the District Panchayat on a collective basis with the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and the District Institute for Education and Training.

Construction of school buildings, programmes to assist students in studies are some of the programmes envisaged.

The budget provides for setting up an institution at Kakkur for rehabilitation of the mentally ill, care centres for the differently-abled, old age home at the Chengottukave panchayat and pain and palliative care units in the welfare sector.

Provision is made in the budget for electrification of SC/ST colonies, constructing houses for STs, among others.

In the debate that followed, Opposition members said there was nothing new in the budget. Mohamed Haji of the Muslim League said the cole land development project in the budget was a repeated initiative.

Sudhakaran Master (Nationalist Congress Party) demanded more details of revenue and expenditure.

The ruling coalition, while welcoming the provisions in the budget, suggested better utilisation of the river management fund, promotion of organic farming, farmland development involving landless agriculturists and development of IT park at the Grasim factory site at Mavoor.

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