Kozhikode: The budget of the Kozhikode Corporation for 2007-2008 has given priority for improving infrastructure, health and sanitation sectors.

Amid tight security, Deputy Mayor P.T. Abdul Latheef presented the budget at the council hall on Friday. Security arrangements were made owing to the demonstration of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha activists in front of the Corporation office against the Corporation taking loan from Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The budget proposes revenue of Rs.165.96 crore and expenditure of Rs.161.48 crore, with a surplus of Rs.4.47 crore. The revenue comprises a carryover of Rs.8.17 crore from last year's budget, revenue account of Rs.64.83 crore and capital account of Rs.92.95 crore.

Funds expected from the ADB for the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Programme (KSUDP) and the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) have also been incorporated in the budget.

It includes Rs.29.60-crore grant from the Centre, Rs.3.70-crore grant from the State Government and Rs.28-crore loan from the State Government.

The proposed account expenditure is Rs.49 crore and capital expenditure Rs.112.48. crore. Mr. Latheef also presented the revised budget of Rs.72.07 crore for 2006-07.

Out of the revenue account, a sum of Rs.16.15 crore is set aside for improvement and repairs of roads, Rs.2.35 crore for sanitation and Rs.1 crore for production sector.

From the capital account, a sum of Rs.2.25 crore is earmarked for laying roads, Rs.1.96 crore for tarring and concreting of roads, Rs.5.50 crore for completing works at the Corporation Stadium and Rs.3.80 crore for infrastructure.

An amount of Rs.20 crore and Rs.50 lakh will be set apart for development activities of the civic body and poverty alleviation. Proposals have been made to mobilise revenue by revising the property tax structure. In this way the Corporation will obtain Rs.18.50 crore.

Improving sewerage and drainage systems and transportation facilities is envisaged in the first phase of the KSUDP. An amount of Rs.28 crore will be allotted for these projects in the next financial year.

The total amount to be obtained from the UIDSSMT scheme is Rs.180 crore for six years. Proposals have been envisaged for Rs.30 crore in the next fiscal.

Mr. Latheef said solid waste management was given priority in the budget. The district administration allotted Rs.2 crore for acquiring 5.8 acres at Njeliyanparamba for setting up a green belt.

Proposals have been made to construct a bus terminal at Meenchanda, community hall-cum-shopping complex at Kavoor, Art Gallery, multi-purpose building at Panniyankara, walkway at Mananchira Square, foot overbridge at Kallai, information technology multiplex and market complex at Kalluthankadavu.

He said that requests would be made to the Government to allot funds for running the nine urban centres and 27 sub-centres of the Reproductive and Child Health Project in the city. The civic body had to seek funds to the tune of Rs.40 lakh to run the project.

A sum of Rs.13 lakh was allotted for drinking water scheme, Rs.40 lakh for repair work at schools, Rs.10 lakh for enhancing facilities at bus stations, Rs.75.5 lakh for modernising the crematoriums at Mankavu, Puthiyapalam, Chalathara and Manari.

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