Thrissur district panchayat vice president TK Sudheesh presented the budget on Friday. | Photo credit: KK NAJEEB
In a development-oriented and forward-looking fiscal plan, Thrissur district panchayat presented a budget surplus of ₹ 23.14 crore, prioritizing completion of ongoing projects, improvement in institutional quality and sustainable growth.
The budget estimates a total revenue of ₹203.73 crore, including a transfer of ₹50.73 crore, against an expenditure of ₹180.59 crore, reflecting a strong financial position and a clear emphasis on balanced development across sectors.
Housing and climate action
A major chunk of ₹25.78 crore has been earmarked for the LIFE mission, reaffirming the panchayat’s commitment to provide safe housing for the underprivileged. In a pioneering move, ₹86,000 has been allocated for a comprehensive climate action plan, making Thrissur the first local body in Kerala to launch such a structured intervention to address climate change.
Presenting the budget, Vice President TK Sudheesh noted that the initiative will focus on resource mapping, environmental sustainability and long-term resilience planning.
To address basic civic needs, ₹12.26 crore has been earmarked for road maintenance, while a substantial ₹10 crore has been earmarked to address drinking water scarcity and strengthen waste management systems. The Panchayat reiterated its vision of achieving a waste-free district and acknowledged that sustained interventions are still required to fully realize the goal.
Social welfare
The budget places considerable emphasis on social security and inclusive growth. A total of ₹2.5 crore has been earmarked for providing nutritious food to children, girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers through anganwadis. For the care of the elderly, dedicated funds have been allocated for social programs, clubs and recreational initiatives.
Palliative care services will receive ₹20,000 for district hospitals, including the Wadakkanchery District Hospital and an Ayurvedic institution, along with ₹1.5 million for palliative activities at the grama panchayat level, strengthening support for local health care.
Empowering women and supporting livelihoods
In a major boost to gender equality, ₹7.75 crore has been allocated for women’s empowerment and gender equality initiatives. The ‘She Workspace’ project near Electronics Park in Ollur with an allocation of ₹1 crore aims to create supportive workspaces for women entrepreneurs and professionals.
Agriculture and allied sectors also received concentrated attention, including ₹ 3 crore as wage subsidy for paddy cultivation, ₹ 80 crore for agricultural infrastructure and irrigation pump sets, ₹ 2.9 crore for development of farms and seed production centres, and subsidies for dairy products and cattle fodder.
Technology, innovation and education
A Robo Park will be established at the Vijnan Sagar campus in collaboration with the start-up ecosystem, highlighting the futuristic vision. The proposed technology park will feature a 12D projection cinema, an advanced DIY laboratory and humanoid robots, which will become the main learning center for students and study tours.
To strengthen the education sector, ₹ 5.92 crore has been earmarked for upgradation of infrastructure in public educational institutions along with funds to maintain and improve the quality of schools to make them centers of excellence.
The budget allocates ₹ 4.40 crore for comprehensive healthcare development and drug procurement. Special attention was also given to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe welfare, including ₹2.5 crore for upliftment programs and ₹5 crore for housing repairs for Scheduled Caste families.
Animal protection, culture and tourism
To tackle the growing problem of stray dogs, a joint project involving three-tier local bodies will be implemented with an allocation of ₹ 5.1 crore for Animal Birth Control (ABC) and shelter facilities. The budget also supports cultural revival with allocations for exhibitions, water festivals, Kerala Utsavam and other cultural events, including those associated with traditional Thrissur festivities.
As part of its sustainability agenda, the panchayat will implement a carbon inventory in collaboration with grama panchayats and municipalities to map sources and environmental impact. Special funds have also been earmarked for rural drinking water programs and resource sustainability projects.
Published – 27 Feb 2026 20:03 IST
