The 2015-2016 budget of the Kollam city Corporation showing a revenue of Rs.754.88 crore, expenditure of Rs.716.17 crore, and surplus of Rs.38.71 crore was presented on Thursday by Deputy Mayor M. Noushad.
The budget proposes internet connectivity for all through the Wi-Fi City scheme to be implemented in association with the BSNL. A total of Rs.1 crore has been allocated for it. For making Kollam the first digitised city Corporation in the country, Rs.1 crore has been allocated.
The budget gives top priority to constructing homes for homeless families in the city. The budget proposes launching a scheme, Sampoorna, for the purpose and Rs.55 crore has been earmarked for this.
Three-storeyed apartments will be constructed in all divisions as part of this. Another Rs.12 crore has been allocated for landless families to purchase land to build houses. Twenty-seven slums in the city have been covered by the Rajiv Awas Yojana. To construct houses in the SMP Palace slum area, Rs.20.50 crore had been allocated under the scheme. For the coming fiscal Rs.4 crore will be allocated.
Biogas plants
Sanitation and hygiene aspects are also given due priority. A sum of Rs.3 crore has been allocated for providing subsidy for erecting domestic biogas plants.
Also, Rs.20 lakh has been allocated for setting up a biogas plant in the Tangasseri fishing harbour complex; Rs.25 lakh for biogas plants along the coastal areas; Rs.1 crore for a sewage treatment plant near the Asramam Link Road; Rs.50 lakh for waste treatment plants at Thamarakulam, Ayathil, and Shakthikulangara; and Rs.1.60 crore for construction of aerobic compost plants at selected areas in the city.
A sum of Rs.3.50 crore has been allocated for constructing drainages in various divisions.
Pesticide-free
Organic vegetables will be cultivated on 10 acres in the Kureepuzha garbage treatment plant complex and Rs.25 lakh has been allocated for this.
The budget allocates Rs.2 crore for extending street light coverage and Rs.50 lakh for installing energy meters for the street lighting system. The Corporation will also install traffic signalling system at all major junctions and Rs.1.25 crore has been allocated for it.
The budget proposes a scheme to modernise all bus stop shelters. Drinking water, e-toilets and mobile phone charging facilities will be provided at these shelters. Rs.50 lakh has been allocated for the purpose.
