Fund utilization: Angamaly leads, Thrikkakara struggles

Kochi: As the 2024-2025 financial year concludes, Angamaly municipality has set a benchmark in Ernakulam district by fully utilizing its allocated plan fund. In contrast, Thrikkakara reported the lowest utilization, spending only 48% of its funds.
Among the district's municipalities, only Angamaly and Perumbavoor ranked in the state's top ten. Angamaly secured 9th place, effectively utilizing its entire budget of Rs 5.65 crore, while Perumbavoor followed at 10th with a 96.45% utilization rate, spending Rs 4.75 crore of its Rs 4.91 crore allocation.
Angamaly municipality chairman Sheo Paul credited this achievement to teamwork among councillors, officials, and the community. He also acknowledged former chairpersons Reji Mathew and Mathew Thomas for laying the groundwork. "This success is a result of collaborative effort. Officials often worked extra hours, and frequent ward meetings enabled quick decision-making," he said.
Other municipalities in the district showed varying utilization rates: Eloor (89.87%, 20th place), Kothamangalam (82.35%, 30th), Maradu (79.07%, 40th), and Kalamassery (76.73%, 42nd). Tripunithura (72.32%) and Aluva (70.69%) ranked 56th and 60th, respectively, while Muvattupuzha (66.67%) and Piravom (65.84%) placed 76th and 77th.
Officials cited treasury delays in bill approvals as a major hurdle to full utilization. Meanwhile, Thrikkakara opposition leader MK Chandrababu blamed the poor performance on a lack of new initiatives by the current leadership.