Kochi: The annual budget presented by deputy Mayor T.J. Vinod on Saturday is realistic and has feasible proposals which will cater to all the sections of the society, said Mayor Soumini Jain. Addressing a press conference after the budget presentation, Ms. Jain said that some of the proposals are repetitions of the previous budgets which are now under various stages of implementation. Replying to queries on the measures to address perennial issue of mosquito menace, Ms Jain said that saline water spraying in drains, which was found effective to destroy mosquito larvae will restart this year.
“Proposals in the master plan for mosquito control prepared by Dr. K.N. Panicker, project chief of Vector Control Research Institute, will be implemented this year. A Vector Control and Action Unit will be set up with the support of state government,” she said. Meanwhile, deputy Mayor said that more focus has to be given to tax revenue augmentation in the wake of depleting revenue sources. “Through effective implementation of various revenue enhancement measures, the corporation’s financial condition can be improved,” he hoped.
Budget unrealistic, alleges Opposition:
The Opposition termed the budget unrealistic and repetitive. “The deputy Mayor has announced a slew of fancy projects while the city still lacks basic facilities like drinking water and proper drainage,” alleged K.J. Antony, Opposition leader while addressing the media. ‘The civic administration has failed to increase the tax revenue collection by even a rupee despite the various proposals announced in previous budgets. The Opposition has few proposals for revenue augmentation which will be presented during the discussion on budget in the council,” he said.
