1 crore allotted for rice project
Thiruvananthapuram: The district panchayat budget for 2023-24 presented by vice president Shyalja Beegam has announced a project to collect rice produce from farmers in the district and sell it under a brand name. Shylaja Beegam said that the project will be implemented from this year onwards.
The rice will be procured at a fair price from the paddy farmers and will be sold in the market as Travancore rice at a price lower than the market price. Paddy farming is being done on 2130 hectares in the district. The budget has allocated an amount of Rs 1 crore for the project.
In line with the state government’s plan to reduce carbon emissions, the panchayat budget also put forward the idea of a carbon neutral district.
Shylaja Beegam said installation of solar panels was done at a cost of Rs 5 crore in
2022-23. An amount of Rs 2 crore has been allotted for the project in 2023-24. The budget also allocated R 4 crore for the maintenance of Vithura jersey farm, Chettachal jersey farm and Parassala pig farm. Green milk, the ongoing scheme aimed at distribution of chemical free milk, also got budgetary allocation for 2023-24 for the further expansion.
Addressing the attacks by wild animals close to the forest areas, Shylaja Beegam said that solar fencing will be carried out at Rs 50 lakh. For promoting eco-friendly products, the budget has allocated R 50 lakh for the distribution of menstrual cups in schools under the district panchayat.
The budget estimates a revenue of Rs 825.8 crore and an expenditure of Rs 822.55 crore in 2023-24.
