Angamaly tops, Kalamassery lowest in plan fund utilisation in Ernakulam

Kochi: As the financial year ended, data from local self-govt department showed that Kalamassery municipality recorded the lowest plan fund utilisation among municipalities in Ernakulam, spending just 47.2% of its allocation. In contrast, Angamaly municipality recorded the highest utilisation at 78.37% of its total allocated plan funds.Despite being one of the richest local bodies in the district, Kalamassery spent only Rs 8.01 crore out of its Rs 16.87 crore plan fund allocation and was ranked 77th among 87 municipalities in the state. Meanwhile, Angamaly municipality spent Rs 5.18 crore out of Rs 6.61 crore, securing the third position in plan fund utilisation among municipalities in the state. According to the plan expenditure dashboard, municipalities across Ernakulam showed varying levels of plan fund utilisation, with only a few crossing the 70% mark while several remained below 60%, indicating uneven implementation of development projects during the financial year. Many local bodies cited staff shortage as a reason for delay in submission of bills to the treasury, leading to stalling of projects and low plan fund utilisation. Among other municipalities in Ernakulam, Muvattupuzha utilised 62% of plan funds, Paravur 60.44%, Piravom 59.31%, Kothamangalam 58.21%, Thrikkakara 57.29%, Tripunithura 56.39%, Eloor 55.10% and North Paravur 54.04%. Maradu municipality also recorded low utilisation at 48.87%. Unlike own funds, plan funds cannot be carried forward to the next financial year, resulting in local bodies losing significant funds for development projects.