Kollam Dist. Panchayat Budget for 2023-24 Focuses on Waste Management & Agriculture

The Budget projects a 3.61 crore surplus on revenue of 180.10 crore and expenditure of 176.48 crore. Following successful global models, the Budget has set aside 55 crore to promote green practises, including the construction of faecal sludge treatment plants.

Among the projects that will be carried out are a digital complaint box to receive grievances, including photographs of waste dumping in public places, waste treatment systems in hospitals and schools under the panchayat, and projects such as Ozhukam Shuchiyayi and Jalashudhi.

While the Pathayam Nira project, which aims to achieve self-sufficiency in agricultural production, receives a 1 crore allocation, Ellakam, a scheme to encourage sesame cultivation and the manufacturing of value-added products, receives a 25 lakh allocation.

The Budget has set aside 50 lakh for the expansion of integrated paddy farming, as well as a number of other projects such as the establishment of crop museums to recreate agricultural history and heritage. While model farms will be planted in schools as part of the 'Padham Onnu Padathekku' programme, the Budget also includes farm tourism initiatives, measures to control human-wildlife conflict, and projects to increase millet production.

The district panchayat has also announced a number of projects aimed at improving people's quality of life through the use of modern technologies while ensuring economic growth, livelihood protection, sustainable development, social justice, and equality.

Funds have been allocated in the health sector for the installation of PET CT scan machines in the district hospital, as well as the purchase of modern equipment. Other proposals include expanding an artificial limb fitting centre, mobile dental care, waste treatment measures, and a mobile cancer detection unit primarily for fishermen and labourers in traditional industries.

While one crore has been set aside to promote group enterprises of traditional artisans, two crores has been set aside to encourage women entrepreneurs, and ten lakh has been set aside for Gender Resource Centre activities. The Budget has set aside 25 lakh to establish a trans shelter for the rehabilitation of transpeople, and 30 lakh will be spent to provide autorickshaws to 10 beneficiaries in this category.

Aside from these, funds have been allocated for drinking water and housing projects, soil and water conservation, tourism development, constitutional literacy follow-up activities, and Jeevanam, a renal patient project.