Kerala Budget Analysis 2017-18
The Finance Minister of Kerala, Dr.T M Thomas Isaac, presented the Budget for Kerala for financial year 2017-18 on March 03, 2017. Here are the important highlights of the budget:-
Agriculture:
For the promotion of agriculture and agricultural crops having regional specialties, an amount of Rs.3.3 crore is provided. As part of promoting the crops like Ragi and Millet in tribal areas, government will take measures for procurement of these crops for the distribution of the same to the tribals themselves as ration. Special financial assistance will be provided for products such as Marayoor Jaggery under this scheme.
Vegetable farming will be expanded using the prevailing cluster system under the Agriculture Department. Rs.18 crore is set apart for giving assistance to the clusters. In addition to this, Rs.3 crore is provided for Block Level Federations and Rs.15 crore is provided for the schemes such as Rain Guard, Micro Irrigation, Micro Nutrient etc. Besides, a share of Rs.54 crore earmarked for Crop Health Management will also be made available for vegetable farming. Rs.10 crore is provided for the promotion of organic farming. A new component in the vegetable farming is the emphasis given to the processing and marketing. Rs.5 crore is set apart for the vegetable producer companies.
Fisheries Sector:
Rs.49 crore has been provided for inland fisheries sector. More than half of this allocation is meant for pisciculture. Backwater Ornamental Fish Farming Project will be revamped. Production from sea fishing has been continuously diminishing in Kerala. In this context, Rs.5 crore is provided for preventing the depletion of marine fish resources.
Additional amount is earmarked for ensuring the off season saving-cum-relief scheme at Rs.3600/-. Accident insurance compensation @ Rs. 10 lakh for death/missing case and Rs. 5 lakh for becoming invalid for work will be provided. Insurance will be provided for the allied workers as well. Insurance coverage will be
extended for fishing equipments also. Rs.2 crore is provided for Marine Ambulance. An amount of Rs. 25 crore is earmarked for Kerosene subsidy.
Other Village Industries:
Rs.4 crore is provided for the encouragement of 32 recognised crafts in Kerala. The apex bodies Surabhi is provided with Rs.1.5 crore, Artisans Development Corporation-Rs.1 crore, Handicrafts Development Corporation-Rs.1.5 crore and KELPAMRs. 1 crore. Rs. 5 crore is provided for the development of bamboo based industries. Rs. 1 crore is allocated to ARTCO towards share capital.
Harithakeralam Mission-Sanitation:
The first component of “Harithakeralam” Mission is sanitation. The aim is to begin sanitation campaign by giving due emphasis on the disposal of garbage at source. The bio-wastes, to the maximum extent, need to be converted into bio gas or bio compost at the source itself. The garbage that can not be processed in this way can be converted into bio-compost at the local garbage
processing centre. The non-bio-degradable waste is to be collected separately from houses and shops and processed for disposal after collecting and segregating at the material recovery centre.
Awareness campaigns on a large scale is a pre requisite for the success of the aforesaid sanitation strategy. More than technology, it is the mind-set of the people that needs to be changed.
Water Conservation
The second component of ‘Harithakeralam Mission’ is water conservation. The most important activity undertaken under ‘Harithakeralam Mission’ is the rejuvenation of ponds, rivulets, springs, streams, canals and lakes. This can be fully achieved with the help of employment guarantee scheme. The slopes of ponds and streams etc. can be protected by utilizing geo-textiles within the permissible material cost. The services of employment guarantee schemes can be utilized for renovation of major irrigation canals and field channels. Campaigns should be conducted on a large scale to encourage the use of rainwater pits for rainwater harvesting and recharging of wells.
Buds School
The number of differently abled children exceeds 25,000. Schooling and rehabilitation will be ensured for all the differently abled. Buds Schools are institutions run by Local Self Government institutions with the support of Kudumbasree. There are Buds Rehabilitation centres for the rehabilitation of those who pass out of Buds Schools and aged above 18 years. At present, these institutions are there only in 140 panchayaths. Only 20% children are given care. During 2017-2018, Buds Schools will be established in 200 more local self-government institutions. Rs. 25 lakhs will be given as special assistance for starting new Buds Schools. This will be separately allocated to Kudumbasree. Panchayaths have to arrange buildings and other facilities. The mini bus, special tables, chairs and other equipments required for Buds Schools will be given through Kudumbasree.
Anganwadies
An amount of Rs. 433 crore has been set apart for Social Justice Department and Rs. 170 crore for the Kerala Social Security Mission in this budget. The key programmes of the Social Justice Department are those connected with Anganwadis. For this purpose, Rs. 248 crore is being set apart as state share. For paying honorarium to Anganwadi Workers Rs.359 crore is set apart. A scheme has been formulated for constructing own buildings for all Anganawadis. Collectors will be entrusted specially with the task of making land available for constructing Anganawadi buildings.
Honorarium of ASHA workers, cooks and pre-primary teachers are enhanced by Rs. 500/-.
Scheduled Caste – Scheduled Tribe Welfare
One feature that distinguishes this budget from the budget of other states and central budget is the thrust on the welfare schemes of SC/ST. In fact, the indicator on quality of life of Scheduled Caste in Kerala is even higher than that of the general quality of life indicator of other north Indian states.
Tourism:
Within a short period, tourism has emerged as a service industry which contributes 10% of the state revenue. The crux of tourism development lies in the marketing of our natural beauty and heritage as effective tourism products. Therefore, the major portion of the outlay, ie, Rs.75 crore has been earmarked for marketing.
An amount of Rs.15 crore is set apart for encouraging and propagating Nishagandhi dance and music festivals, Onam celebration, tribal dance festival, Pooram, Theyyam festivals and boat race etc. An amount of Rs. 5 crore is additionally provided for encouraging boat race and giving assistance to those snake boats which have not received any assistance for maintenance so far.
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