Chelembra
Grama Panchayat

Here is the complete English translation of the Chelembra Grama Panchayat Budget Speech and Document:

It is with great pleasure that I present the 2026–27 budget of Chelembra Grama Panchayat for your approval. I feel deeply honored to bear this responsibility. This is also the first budget of the current governing body. Under Sections 175(1) and 214(1) of the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, and through constitutional amendments, local self-government institutions have been granted greater powers and funds.

Since local self-government bodies elected across various periods have planned diverse projects with distinct visions in line with government guidelines, panchayats have been able to realize the concept of "Development to the people... assistance to the grassroots."

For a better tomorrow, standing with our land as a support and a guiding hand... let us unite to deliver sustainable governance to our region. Thus, let each of us become the pens that write Chelembra's name in golden letters on the pages of history.

After highlighting the major projects intended for implementation during the 2025–30 period, I will outline the estimated income and expenditure figures.

Over the next 5 years, we aim to bring about a major transformation in the healthcare sector: constructing a Family Health Centre (FHC) with modern facilities, a new Unani Hospital building, upgrading various sub-centers under the SAAP scheme to improve Ayurveda hospital facilities, and more.

The Buds School for children with special needs—who deserve the highest priority—is becoming a reality this year. The governing body is also striving to realize the dream of a "Day Care Home" (Pakal Veedu) to provide solace to elderly citizens living isolated in their homes. Programs like the "Punchiri" denture distribution and "Vayoswasthyam" will bring great relief to the elderly.

For our infants, who are the promises of our future, we are upgrading Anganwadis into smart facilities with modern amenities (including new Anganwadi buildings). Sports literacy and swimming training programs for school children will continue to be implemented.

For women, projects like yoga training, swimming, driving lessons, and open gyms will continue. There is also a plan to lease vacant land to prepare playgrounds for the youth. Playgrounds will, to an extent, help rescue our younger generation from the magical trap of drug addiction.

Alongside infrastructure development, social welfare and Scheduled Caste (SC) development are key targets. Timely updates will also be brought to the animal husbandry and agriculture sectors.

The governing body will exert maximum effort to achieve the crucial goal of "Drinking Water for All." Additionally, the MGNREGS sector contributes significantly to improving people's living conditions.

The first budget of this governing body is presented to you, weaving together all sectors with the objective of sustainable regional development.

Sector-Wise Allocations

• Productive Sector: ₹87,69,440

• Service Sector: ₹8,76,34,428

• Infrastructure Sector: ₹16,80,86,700 (JJM: ₹7.59 Crore + MGNREGS + CFC + Own Fund)

• Scheduled Caste (SC) Development Sector: ₹73,59,000

Budget Details

Agriculture & Animal Husbandry

Efforts must be made to arrest the decline in agriculture and undertake productive projects. Allocations include:

Vegetable cultivation: ₹7.5 Lakhs

• Promotion of paddy cultivation: ₹3 Lakhs

• Goat Village (Aadu Gramam): ₹2.5 Lakhs

• Cattle and poultry rearing: ₹28 Lakhs

• Protection of public ponds: ₹5 Lakhs

• Earthen pots for vegetable farming: ₹2 Lakhs

• Promotion of arecanut farming: ₹3.9 Lakhs

• Intercropping: ₹3 Lakhs

• Coconut palm crown cleaning: ₹2.5 Lakhs

• Agro-pharmacy: ₹3 Lakhs

• Cow lifter: ₹1 Lakh

• Heifer rearing: ₹4 Lakhs

• Milk subsidy for dairy farmers: ₹4 Lakhs

• Stray dog vaccination: ₹30,000

• Cattle feed for milking cows: ₹15 Lakhs

Widespread crop damage occurs every year due to natural calamities. A plan will be considered to streamline the crop insurance system. Crop destruction caused by wild animals is also a serious issue that requires resolution and will receive significant attention. If government approval is obtained, financial assistance will be provided to farmers whose cattle die from rabies. We will also examine obtaining government sanction to cover their treatment costs.

Service Sector

Anganwadis & Child Welfare

All 14 Anganwadis currently functioning in permanent buildings will be transitioned to the Cradle System; ₹4.95 Lakhs is set aside for this. Additionally, ₹18.50 Lakhs is allocated for general Anganwadi operations, and ₹60 Lakhs for supplementary nutrition. A new project being implemented this year is the distribution of uniforms to Anganwadi children, with ₹1.5 Lakhs set aside. An Anganwadi Arts Festival (Kalotsavam) is also included.

Women's Welfare

• Two-wheelers for self-employed women to earn a livelihood: ₹3.5 Lakhs

• Exposure trip/tour for widows: ₹2 Lakhs

• Swimming training for women: ₹5 Lakhs

• Yoga training for women: ₹1.5 Lakhs

• Assistance for inter-caste couples: ₹2.25 Lakhs

• Strengthening Vigilance Committees (Jagratha Samithis): ₹25,000

• Karate training for girls will be included in the plan.

Kudumbashree

₹5 Lakhs is set aside for various programs. This includes the Pulse Kudumbashree District-level Buds Donation program, Hriddya Palliative Care training, continuation of Gender Resource Centre activities, formation of Kudumbashree Vigilance Groups, and vegetable farming for Kudumbashree units. Around 300 NHGs (Neighborhood Groups) are currently functioning in the Panchayat. Home Shops, Nano Shops, and self-employment units are operational. ₹16,000 has been set aside for CLICK (Community Life Improvement).

LIFE Housing Scheme

Steps have been taken to provide benefits under the LIFE scheme to all landowning applicants. In the 2025–26 financial year, the intention is to deliver full financial aid to all beneficiaries. A total of ₹2 Crores is expected—including ₹95.5 Lakhs from Development Funds, ₹84 Lakhs as loans, and ₹20 Lakhs as Block/District Panchayat shares. Out of this, ₹14 Lakhs from various funds is earmarked for the landless and homeless. For the Scheduled Caste category, ₹40 Lakhs from Development Funds, ₹82 Lakhs from other schemes, and ₹92 Lakhs as Block/District Panchayat shares are expected to complete SC home construction. The entire SC fund allocation for this year had to be earmarked for the LIFE scheme.

House Renovation

Many houses in our Panchayat require repairs. In previous years, nearly 300 houses (including those of SC families) were made livable. Since many homes remain in dilapidated conditions, ₹45 Lakhs has been allocated from available funds for this purpose.

Renovation of Panchayat Office Building

Our Panchayat office building is over a quarter-century old and severely lacks adequate space. The Assistant Engineer (AE) office, MGNREGS, and Kudumbashree Gender Resource Centre all operate within these limited facilities. A project was initiated in the current year to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR). ₹2 Crores has been set aside for preliminary works toward reconstructing the building.

Anganwadi Buildings

Three Anganwadi buildings were constructed under the previous annual plan. Under the new plan, buildings need to be constructed at Idimuzhikkal and Thenerippara. MGNREGS funds will also be utilized for the Thenerippara Anganwadi. A total of ₹16 Lakhs is allocated for this.

Healthcare

Construction of the Unani Hospital building is underway, and funds have been set aside for physical infrastructure. Homeo Hospital building construction was completed under the previous plan. Work funded by the MLA's Asset Development Fund worth ₹5.5 Crores for the Family Health Centre (FHC) is about to begin.

Allocations include:

• Medicine purchases: Ayurveda Hospital (₹17 Lakhs), Unani (₹10 Lakhs), Homeo (₹2 Lakhs), FHC (₹10 Lakhs)

• Vayoswasthyam elderly healthcare (initiated last year): ₹2 Lakhs

• Wages for temporary staff at FHC: ₹10 Lakhs

• Aardram Mission: ₹1 Lakh

• Pariraksha (Palliative Care): ₹10 Lakhs

• Preventive care/treatment: ₹1 Lakh

• Medicines for the extremely poor: ₹50,000

• Epidemic control: ₹1.5 Lakhs

• Office recurring expenses: ₹19.80 Lakhs

• Cancer and lifestyle disease control: ₹1 Lakh

• Two dedicated vehicles have been acquired for Pariraksha.

• Dispensary electrification: ₹5 Lakhs

• Vimukthi (Anti-Addiction/Substance-Free Village) campaign: ₹1 Lakh

Drinking Water

The drinking water crisis is intensifying. Water supply through the Jalanidhi project can only be realized once National Highway expansion is completed. The 16 small-scale drinking water schemes currently functioning offer only minor relief. The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is mid-way through and is expected to be commissioned in 2026. Under the previous annual plan, financial aid was provided to 200 beneficiaries to convert open wells into hygienic wells. ₹15.8 Lakhs is allocated in this sector this year. ₹11 Lakhs is earmarked for drinking water distribution during drought relief periods. Plans have also been prepared under MGNREGS for well recharging and water resource creation.

Clean Chelembra - Waste-Free Nava Kerala

Numerous action plans have been organized to achieve a clean and beautiful village. Activities included cleanliness awareness rallies, special Grama Sabhas, ward-level citizens' committees, puppet theater setups, and mass cleaning drives. An effective Material Collection Facility (MCF) system has been established, alongside mini-MCFs in all wards, Haritha Neighborhood Groups, Haritha Institutions, and Haritha Markets.

The number of Haritha Karma Sena members has been increased to 36, reaching a level where each member earns over ₹10,000 per month. Two vehicles were purchased for them. A Health Inspector was appointed, and a vehicle was rented for field visits and enforcement. A baling machine was also purchased.

Specific allocations:

• Rent for Haritha Karma Sena vehicle: ₹3 Lakhs

• Fuel: ₹15 Lakhs

• Equipment purchase: ₹1.2 Lakhs

• MCF rent: ₹4.8 Lakhs

• Health Inspector wages: ₹2.5 Lakhs

• Waste-free awareness boards: ₹1 Lakh

• Organic waste bins for households: ₹1.5 Lakhs

• Clean Chelembra waste management: ₹16.45 Lakhs

• User fee coverage for Ashraya (extremely poor) beneficiaries: ₹1.7 Lakhs

Renovation of Water Resources

Six ponds were renovated under various schemes in past years. ₹10 Lakhs is allocated for further pond renovations.

Education, Youth Welfare, Sports, & Culture

In education, the Sports Literacy Project—implemented in collaboration with Calicut University as an innovative project to build fitness and nurture innate talents—was a major success. Sports equipment was supplied to all schools, and services of three physical education teachers were made available. However, due to audit objections, the project could not be continued seamlessly; possibilities for resuming it this year will be examined.

Allocations:

• Equivalency exams: ₹1.5 Lakhs

• SSA contribution: ₹5 Lakhs

• Newspapers and periodicals for libraries: ₹1 Lakh

• Swimming training: ₹6.6 Lakhs

• Sports kits: ₹75,000

• Disaster Response Fund (DRF) activities: ₹75,000

Swimming Training

Swimming literacy was an innovative project introduced during the current year for primary school students, receiving immense appreciation from schools and parents alike. In partnership with the University, 400 students were trained at their modern Aquatic Complex and issued certificates. This project will be expanded this year to benefit Upper Primary (UP) school students, with ₹6.6 Lakhs allocated.

Social Welfare

Numerous projects were executed previously for the welfare of senior citizens:

• Vayoswasthyam healthcare: ₹2 Lakhs

• Elderly Arts Festival: ₹50,000

• Exposure trip/tour: ₹4.5 Lakhs

• Day Care Home (Pakal Veedu): ₹2 Lakhs

• "Smile Please" dental alignment project: ₹2 Lakhs

• House renovation for the extremely poor: ₹3.75 Lakhs

• Doorstep service delivery (Vaathilpadi Sevanam): ₹50,000

• Income-generating activities for the extremely poor: ₹1.2 Lakhs

• Food kits and medicines for the extremely poor: ₹4.5 Lakhs

• Smart Kitchen project: ₹13.5 Lakhs

• Inter-caste marriage assistance: ₹5 Lakhs

• Destitute-Free Kerala (Agathi Rahitha Kerala): ₹10 Lakhs

• Setting up social media presence: ₹2 Lakhs

Various initiatives have been organized for persons with disabilities. The goal this year is to make Chelembra a fully disability-friendly Panchayat. ₹25 Lakhs is set aside for student scholarships. Funds have also been allocated for a Disability Arts Fest (₹75,000), exposure trips, palliative care meets, and vocational training. Completion of the Buds School is expected within the current financial year.

Electricity & Street Lighting

The governing body aims to achieve complete street lighting coverage this year. Through the efforts of Honorable MLA P. Abdul Hameed Master, high-mast and mini-mast lights have been installed across major public junctions, temple premises, and mosque surroundings. Street lights were activated on major routes like Idimuzhikkal–Puliparamba and Idimuzhikkal–Agrashala roads. Special maintenance arrangements will continue as in previous years. ₹1.5 Lakhs is earmarked for street light repairs, and ₹15 Lakhs for street light maintenance. Funds have been set aside to install street mains across various wards.

Infrastructure Development

There is no doubt that Chelembra Grama Panchayat has made immense strides in infrastructure development over the last quarter-century. Major roads across all wards have been concreted or tarred. However, due to pipe-laying works under the Jal Jeevan Mission, many good roads are currently damaged—this is a major issue facing the Panchayat. Restoring these roads to their original condition is the challenging task at hand. Repairing damaged roads is our first priority this year. ₹10.4 Crores available through JJM and ₹1 Crore received as Maintenance Grant will be utilized for this. The governing body hopes to complete maximum works before the monsoon season. This year, ₹9.46 Crores is allocated for road projects and ₹16.86 Crores for maintenance (combining JJM + CFC + Own Funds). Funds are also allocated for a bus shelter and an open fitness center in Ward 15.

Scheduled Caste (SC) Development

There are 28 Scheduled Caste colonies (Nagars) in Chelembra. Major issues in most colonies—such as roads, electricity, drinking water, and housing security—have largely been resolved. However, permanent solutions are still required for drinking water and housing security in a few colonies. Development activities under the Ambedkar Gramam project are ongoing in Chinadam Nagar. We hope to receive similar corpus funds for Cholayil Purayi and Neelithodi Nagars.

This year, ₹40 Lakhs is set aside to complete houses for all SC families listed under the LIFE housing project. Housing security and comprehensive development projects have already been carried out in Kelayil Purayi, Chenattil, Chenamala, Karangott, and Koyilott Nagars. We expect support from District and Block Panchayats for development projects in the remaining colonies. Most houses in SC colonies have already been repaired, and all beneficiaries listed on the government-approved LIFE list are completing construction under formal agreements.

Additionally, ₹32 Lakhs has been allocated for laptops, scholarships, and marriage assistance for girls belonging to Scheduled Caste communities.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)

Chelembra Grama Panchayat has made remarkable progress under MGNREGS. This scheme is the sole livelihood support for many poor families, with female workers making up the vast majority. Around 1,000 families are actively involved, and men are also coming forward to work.

In the 2024–25 financial year so far:

• 635 families were provided 100 days of employment.

• ₹3.97 Crores was expended.

• 80,128 person-days of employment were generated for 1,005 workers.

• The Panchayat ranked First in Kondotty Block for overall performance.

We expect to spend ₹4 Crores within the current financial year. Additionally, 268 works were undertaken and completed:

For the 2025–26 financial year, an annual action plan proposing ₹6.96 Crores and 9,020 person-days of work has been prepared and submitted for approval. This covers ponds, check dams, streams, wells, Amrit Sarovars, compost pits, soak pits, mini-MCFs, soil/water conservation, roads, and footpaths to provide 100 days of work to 1,000 families.

Enacted in 2005 under the UPA government led by then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, MGNREGS is an innovative scheme that declared employment as a right. There is no dispute that this scheme has helped develop our Panchayat's agricultural sector, conserve soil and water, and boost family confidence through income generation. The Panchayat's objective is to provide 100 days of employment to even more families and utilize maximum funds effectively.

Karmashree Award

To increase the Panchayat's own revenue, property tax, profession tax, and license fees owed to the Panchayat must be collected in a timely manner. We expected a major revenue increase following tax revisions. Although a large sum was initially collected under permit fees, the government subsequently directed that it be refunded; hence, ₹60 Lakhs (excluding ₹25 Lakhs previously refunded) must be repaid.

Ward clerks and elected representatives have made great efforts in collecting property tax. For wards achieving 100% tax collection, the respective ward clerks and members receive the Karmashree Award, along with a ₹1 Lakh relief fund granted to the ward member for works of their choice. Introduced at the initiative of the Finance Standing Committee, this program saw Wards 2, 6, and 12 achieve 100% collection in 2024–25. I congratulate the members and clerks of these wards; keeping our word, special funds and awards have been granted to them.

Conclusion

As the fifth annual plan of this governing body (which assumed office in 2020) comes to a close, I feel deeply satisfied to have prepared and presented five budgets. Titling our fifth-anniversary report "Changes in the Land, Progress with Goodness" was not done in vain. I firmly believe that through our collective efforts, we have brought major positive transformations to our land using our limited authority and funds.

In certain years, we achieved 100% fund utilization. While funds were not always received in a manner that allowed equal distribution across all wards, every member acted with the progress of their ward at heart during council meetings and project executions. I gratefully acknowledge the significant contributions of Honorable MLA P. Abdul Hameed Master, Honorable MPs Dr. M. P. Abdussamad Samadani and E. T. Mohammed Basheer, as well as District and Block Panchayat members toward Chelembra's developmental projects.

This budget speech focuses primarily on project activities and development schemes. Other routine operational expenses of the Panchayat are detailed within the main budget document.

I express my sincere gratitude to the members of the Finance Standing Committee, Secretary, Accountant, Plan Clerk, and all implementing officers who assisted in preparing this budget.

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi:

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."

With these thoughts, I present for your review and approval the final draft budget of this governing body for the year 2025–26, projecting an income of ₹48,46,80,927, an expenditure of ₹47,63,54,500, and a surplus of ₹83,76,427.