Health, housing, carbon neutrality in focus in Kozhikode District Panchayat Budget

Health, housing, and carbon neutrality are the key focus areas of the Kozhikode District Panchayat Budget for 2026–27.

The ₹18.71-crore surplus Budget, with a revenue of ₹145.65 crore and an expenditure of ₹126.94 crore, was presented by Kozhikode District Panchayat vice president K.K. Navas on Monday (March 9). He also presented the revised estimates for the 2025-26 Budget.

The Budget has allocated ₹23.75 crore for the health sector. This includes ₹5 crore for the Cancer Society to create awareness and provide screening, primary care and palliative care. A sum of ₹10 crore has been set aside for district hospitals, with priority to be given to the development of Vadakara District Hospital. It has also earmarked ₹2 crore to set up pathology centres and gymnasiums in a bid to tackle lifestyle diseases.

One of the highlights of the Budget is an allocation of ₹14 crore for the Kozhikode District Panchayat’s ‘Race to Net Zero’ action plan, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality and climate resilience. Of this, ₹5 crore has been set aside for flood control measures in both urban and rural areas, while ₹4 crore has been earmarked to improve the efficiency of waste treatment, green energy and waste disposal. Another ₹4 crore has been allocated to ensure community participation, sustainability, heat mitigation, and improved air quality. A further ₹1 crore has been set aside for water security and climate resilience.

The housing sector received an allocation of ₹15 crore. The district panchayat will provide full support to initiatives undertaken by grama panchayats to provide housing for eligible beneficiaries under the LIFE Mission housing scheme,” Mr. Navas said.

The Budget has set aside ₹12.46 crore for the production sector, including ₹4 crore for agriculture, ₹3 crore for animal husbandry and dairy and ₹1.5 crore for fisheries.

For women’s empowerment, the Budget has allocated ₹7 crore. It has also earmarked ₹20 crore for the “comprehensive development” of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. A sum of ₹30 crore has been set aside for infrastructure development.