KANNUR: Giving priority to social welfare projects and women’s empowerment, the Kannur District Panchayat presented the budget for the fiscal year 2017-2018. The budget, presented by district panchayat vice president P.P. Divya, proposed an income of Rs 117.23 and expenditure of Rs 109.40 crore along with a surplus of Rs 7.82 crore. The proposed income also included the Rs 13.64 crore carried over from the previous year. Some of the major projects in the budget include ‘Gentle Women project’ which aims at imparting mental and physical strength to women. In order to ensure the safety and security of women and children, 1000 men-women friendly collectives and a district-level campaign with one lakh participation would be organised.
In order to declare Kannur the first abattoir waste free district in the country, a rendering plant will be established at Chattukappara along with a slaughter house. Kannur will be converted as a Honey District by promoting apiculture and creating jobs. As many as 11 villages in the district will be made self-sufficient. Aralam Farm will be converted into a production hub thus making the district self-sufficient in poultry, dairy and vegetable sectors.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice President said that the budget relied on government funds as well as the district panchayat’s own resources. “However, our own resources are very less. We should keep a watch on corruption during the implementation of projects. There have been allegations that corruption does exist in the construction sector. The public will get an opportunity to bring up such issues in front of the district panchayat,” she added. The budget was unique in terms of the use of technology. The presentation was made using an LCD projector and the budget was streamed live on Facebook on the Vice President’s account. District Panchayat President K.V. Sumesh delivered the introductory speech.
