Koothattukulam spends 99.73 percent; ranks first in municipality list

Kochi: Koothattukulam municipality has topped the municipalities in the state in plan spending by spending 99.73 percent of Rs 1.83 crore given to it in the last fiscal. Three panchayats of Valakam, Mulanthuruthy and Maradi have the distinction of utilising the entire fund allocation for the 2016-17 fiscal. Ernakulam district has fourth position among districts behind Pathanamthitta (72.60), Alappuzha (72.36) and Thiruvananthapuram (71.89). “When the spillover works too are considered, the spending of Koothattukulam municipality comes to 116.62 percent. There was an increase of 65 per cent in the municipality’s own funds.

It had gone up to Rs 1.92 crore in 2016-17 from the Rs 1.17 crore in 2015-16. There was a two fold increase in the collection of building tax, entertainment tax and advertisement tax. Building tax collection went up from Rs 34 lakh to Rs 67 lakh,” said Mr Prince Paul John, Koothattukulam Municipal chairman. He said that during the period, the municipality could pay water tax arrears of Rs 1.09 crore which was pending since 2009. The second place in plan spending goes to Kottakkal municipality and last place to Irattupetta municipality.

“The cooperation between ruling and the Opposition members in municipal council in implementing the development works has led to our success,” said Mr Prince Paul. Kalady, Keerampara, Ashamannur, Aarakuzha, Chennamangalam, Mannedu, Mazhuvannoor, Edakattuvayal, Pallarimangalam, Kunnukara, Sreemoolanagaram and Ramamangalam grama panchayats and the three block panchayats of Angamaly, Alangad and Vypeen have utilised more than 90 per cent of the total Plan fund during the same period.