Local government in Kerala

Last updated

Local government in Kerala
Gram Panchayats in Kerala

Kerala is a state on the southwestern coast of India. It is known for its high literacy rate, low infant mortality rate, and long life expectancy. Kerala has also been a pioneer in the field of decentralization and participatory local democracy.

Contents

In 1994, the Kerala government enacted the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act and the Kerala Municipality Act. These acts established a three-tier system of local government in Kerala, consisting of gram panchayats (village councils), block panchayats, and district panchayats. The acts also gave these local governments a wide range of powers and responsibilities, including providing basic civic amenities, promoting economic development, and providing social welfare services.

Since the enactment of these acts, Kerala has been experimenting with decentralization and participatory local democracy. This has led to a number of positive developments, including:

Kerala's experiment with decentralization and participatory local democracy has been widely praised by experts. It is seen as a model for other states in India and around the world.

Here are some of the specific benefits of decentralization and participatory local democracy in Kerala:

Kerala's experiment with decentralization and participatory local democracy is still ongoing. However, it has already had a significant impact on the state. It has helped to improve the quality of life for people in Kerala and it has set a model for other states in India and around the world.

Types of Local Self-Government Institutions

Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)

Urban local bodies in Kerala, such as corporations and municipalities, are incorporated entities responsible for the governance and administration of towns and cities within the state. [1] These are classified based on the size of the population and economic activities of the urban settlement. [2]

Panchayat raj institutions (PRIs)

The Panchayat Raj system is a three-tier system of local self-government in rural areas of Kerala that includes Gram Panchayats, Block Panchayats, and District Panchayats. [3] The term "Panchayat Raj" translates to "Rule of Panchayats" or "Rule of Local Self-Government." [4]

District Wise Data

Kerala has 941 Village Panchayats (Grama panchayats), 152 Block Panchayats and 14 District Panchayats; in the urban areas, it has 87 Municipalities and 6 Corporations, a total of 1200 Local Self Government Institutions. The list of number of local government institutions from the period 1995-2015 is given below: [5]

Local body type19952000200520102015
Grama Panchayat990991999978941
Block Panchayat152152152152152
District Panchayat1414141414
Municipality5553536087
Municipal Corporation35556

The President of the Panchayat Raj Institutions(PRIs) has been declared as the executive authority. The senior most officials of various departments brought under the control of the Panchayat Raj Institutions have been declared as ex-officio Secretaries for that subject. The Panchayats have full administrative control including powers of disciplinary action over its own staff as well as staff transferred to it. To encourage a healthy relationship between officials and elected Members, the Act prescribes a code of conduct that lays down principles of polite behavior, respect for elected authorities, and protection of the freedom of the civil servant to render advice freely and fearlessly. All these features are there in the Kerala Municipality Act as well.

The Kerala Panchayat Raj Act and Kerala Municipalities Act 1994 were thoroughly restructured in 1999 and several innovative features laying strong legal foundation for evolving genuine institutions of Local Self Government were built in. The list of various local self governments in the state of Kerala are given below: [6] [7] [8]

DistrictUrban (ULBs)Rural (PRIs)
Municipal CorporationsMunicipalitiesDistrict PanchayatsBlock PanchayatsGrama Panchayats
Thiruvananthapuram 1411278
Kollam 1411168
Pathanamthitta -41853
Alappuzha -611272
Kottayam -611171
Idukki -21852
Ernakulam 11311482
Thrissur 1711686
Palakkad -711388
Malappuram -1211594
Kozhikode 1711270
Wayanad -31423
Kannur 1911171
Kasaragod -31638
Total68714152941

Local body elections results

2020 Kerala local elections
Local self-government bodyLocal Bodies wonTotal
LDF UDF OthersTie
Gram Panchayats5143214264941
Block Panchayats1083806152
District Panchayats11300 [lower-alpha 1] 14
Municipalities 434120 [lower-alpha 2] 86
Corporations 51006
2015 Kerala local elections
Local self-government bodyLocal Bodies wonTotal
LDF UDF NDAOthers
Gram Panchayats5493651413941
Block Panchayats906101152
District Panchayats770014
Municipalities44411087
Corporations42006

Grama Sabha

Kerala has created a three-tier in the form of Grama Sabhas equated with the electoral constituency of a Village Panchayat All the electors of the Ward are members of the Grama Sabha. It is an attempt to create a new set up for direct democracy – involving the people of the ward. The Grama Sabhas have been given clear rights and responsibilities with absolute powers for identification of beneficiaries, strong advisory powers for prioritizing developmental needs and wide powers of social audit. [9]

Functions of local governments

The 11th Schedule of the Constitution of India lists out developmental areas where local governments should have a role in planning for economic development and social justice and in the implementation of such plans. Unlike many other States, Kerala State defined the functional areas of the different tiers of local governments so precisely. In infrastructure and management of public institutions, the functional differentiation is sharp and clear, but in productive sectors the functions could not be earmarked clearly for each tier. There is a clear recognition that there is a role-range for local governments as Agent, Adviser, Manager, Partner and Actor – with the objective being to reduce the agency role and expand the autonomous – actor role. The Kerala Act classifies functions as mandatory functions, general functions and sector-wise functions. in its schedules.

According to a study Dr Martin Patrick (Chief Economist) CPPR, "Gram panchayats are performing better when compared to their performance three decades earlier but they are still not meeting expected standards in generating own funds with which they can plan their own special projects, s Steps need to be taken to generate own assets by collecting more non-tax revenue, particularly collecting potential building and professional tax" [10]

Committee System

All Village and Block Panchayats have three Standing Committees and the District Panchayat five Standing Committees. The Standing Committees are constituted in such a way that every Member of the Panchayat gets a chance to function in one Standing Committee or the other. Each Standing Committee is assigned certain subjects and these Committees are expected to go into the subject areas both at the planning and implementation stage in great detail. For the purpose of co-ordination, a steering committee is constituted consisting of the President and Vice President of the Panchayat and the Chairpersons of Standing Committees. In addition, there are Functional Committees for different subjects which can include experts and practitioners and the Panchayats are free to constitute Sub Committees to assist the Standing Committee or Functional Committee. There is also provision for constitution of Joint Committees with neighbouring Local Governments.

The Role of State Government

The amended Kerala Panchayat Raj & Municipality Acts drastically reduces the powers of direct governmental control over Panchayat Raj Institutions. While Government can issue general guidelines regarding national and State policies it cannot meddle in day-to-day affairs or individual decisions. The Government can cancel resolutions of the Panchayat only through a process and in consultation with the Ombudsman or Appellate Tribunal according to the subject matter of the resolution. Similarly a Panchayat can be dissolved directly by government, only if it fails to pass the budget or if majority of its members have resigned. In all other cases a due process has to be followed and the Ombudsman has to be consulted before dissolution takes place. This is a unique feature which does not exist even in Center-State relations. In Kerala, Local Self-Government Institutions have been meaningfully empowered through massive transfer of resources as well as administrative powers.

The state government plays an important role in supporting and overseeing the functioning of local self-government institutions, which include Grama Panchayats, Block Panchayats, District Panchayats, Corporations and Municipalities. The Local Self-Government Department (LSGD) is the government department responsible for the administration and oversight of the local self-government institutions in the state. It is responsible for implementing government policies and programs related to local governance, decentralization, rural development and urban development. [11] Some of the key field departments under the Local Self-Government Department in Kerala include:

Independent Oversight Institutions

To reduce governmental control and foster growth of self-government as envisaged in the Constitution, the Act provides for creation of independent institutions to deal with various aspects of local government functioning. They are listed below:- [12]

Extent of Decentralization

The extent of decentralization and its nature can be gauged from the following facts: [13] [14]

Present scenario

In short, most of the responsibilities relating to human and social development have been passed down to local governments. Welfare and poverty reduction are now largely dependent on local governments who also have considerable area of responsibility in the primary sector.

Local infrastructure creation is also largely in the domain of Panchayats and Nagarapalikas. Critical institutions of public service like hospitals, schools, anganwadis, veterinary institutions, Krishi Bhawans, hostels for Scheduled Castes and Care institutions for different disadvantaged groups have been transferred to local governments on as is where is condition. The responsibility of local governments which are typical of a non-plan nature in respect of these institutions include -

  1. routine and heavy maintenance of infrastructure
  2. upkeep and maintenance of equipment
  3. replenishment of consumables
  4. administrative charges relating to telephone, water, electricity, fuel etc.
  5. noon-meal cost in schools.

Proposed reforms

The Second Administrative Reforms Commission, set up on 31 August 2005 to prepare a detailed blue print for revamping the public administration system, suggested measures to achieve a proactive, responsive, accountable, sustainable and efficient administration at all levels of the country in the country, including the local government system, submitted its sixth report exclusively on local governance under the title Local Governance: An Inspiring Journey into the future . A brief summary of the report is there in the article [20]

Kerala Grama Panchayat Association

Kerala has a Grama Panchayath Association, formed under the Kerala Government Order No 85191/pt.sppl.1/66 & R D D on 29 December 1966 as an association of Grama Panchayaths. All Grama Panchayaths are affiliated to the Grama Panchayath Association. The Kerala Grama Panchayath Association has responsibility in strengthening decentralization process and local governance in Kerala. For the purpose, the association organizes necessary research activities, Studies, action Researches, some study models and conduct discussions, seminars, training etc., on issues confronting panchayaths in the state.

E-Governance

E-District

Kerala E-District project intends to provide Government services to citizens through Common Service Centers(CSC) which are easily accessible. Services from different departments are brought under one umbrella at any CSC. Some of the services are also made available through online portal. It utilizes backend computerization to e-enable the delivery of services and ensures transparency and uniform application of rules. The project involves integrated and seamless delivery of services to public by automation, integration and incorporating Business Process Re-Engineering(BPR) where ever required. In a nutshell E-District is a tailor-made program for minimizing effort and time to provide prompt and effective services to the public.

E-Gram

Honourable Chief Minister of Kerala Shri. Oommen Chandy has declared Pampakuda panchayat, Ernakulam as the first digital panchayat in Kerala on 28 June 2014. Pampakuda panchayat has achieved this feat by digitalizing over 18,000 citizens' survey data with the help of E-Gram, a software built by a private IT company operating in Technolodge Piravom.

E-Gram is a cloud based platform built exclusively for Gram Panchayats and is a data analytic tool which stores and analyses all information regarding people in a panchayat. E-Gram generates real-time analytics on population, literacy rate, male-female ratio, poverty threshold, internet penetration, access to electricity, access to clean water, healthcare etc. E-Gram's objective is to make panchayats more efficient, transparent and symbols of modernity by leveraging ICT at the cutting edge level to ensure transparency and accountability in their functioning through disclosure of information, social audit, efficient delivery of services and improving internal processes and management of panchayats. E-Gram has built-in SMS functionality which helps interact with people faster. This helps panchayats to roll out benefits, announcements, or even acknowledgement receipts for certificates in Malayalam. This automated SMS service can also send reminder SMSs to citizens who are due to pay their taxes.

See also

Notes

  1. The ties were later resolved, LDF now control 11 and UDF controls 3 district panchayats. Refer Aftermath section
  2. The ties were later resolved and LDF now control 43 municipalities and UDF controls 41. Refer Aftermath section

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elections in Kerala</span>

Elections in Kerala are regularly held to appoint government officials at various levels, both within the state of Kerala and in India as a whole. These elections encompass national elections as well as regional elections for local bodies and panchayat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of Karnataka</span> Indian State Government

The Government of Karnataka, abbreviated as GoK, or simply Karnataka Government, formerly Government of Mysore, is a democratically elected state body with the governor as the ceremonial head to govern the Southwest Indian state of Karnataka. The governor who is appointed for five years appoints the chief minister and on the advice of the chief minister appoints his council of ministers. Even though the governor remains the ceremonial head of the state, the day-to-day running of the government is taken care of by the chief minister and his council of ministers in whom a great amount of legislative powers are vested.

A sarpanch, gram pradhan, mukhiya, or president is a decision-maker, elected by the village-level constitutional body of local self-government called the gram sabha in India. The sarpanch, together with other elected panchayat members, constitute gram panchayats and zilla panchayats. The sarpanch is the focal point of contact between government officers and the village community and retains power for five years. the term used to refer to the sarpanch can vary across different states of India. Here are some of the commonly used terms for sarpanch in various states: panchayat president, gram pramukh, gram pradhan, gram adhyaksha, gaon panchayat president, gram panchayat president, etc.

Panchayat samiti or block panchayat is a rural local government (panchayat) body at the intermediate tehsil (taluka/mandal) or block level in India. It works for the villages of the tehsil that together are called a development block. It has been said to be the "panchayat of panchayats".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panchayati raj in India</span> Village self-government system in rural India

Panchayati raj is the system of local self-government of villages in rural India as opposed to urban and suburban municipalities.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is a branch of the Government of India. Ministry of Panchayati Raj looks into all matters relating to the Panchayati Raj and Panchayati Raj Institutions. It was created in May 2004. The ministry is headed by a minister of cabinet rank / Minister of State and transfers grants to rural local bodies for civic programs such as maintenance and construction of roads, pavements, bridges, drainage systems, parks, piped water supply, streetlights etc.

Kerala has an urbanisation rate of 47.42%, as compared to the national rate of 31.16%, making it the 2nd most urbanised major state in India. Within Kerala, the rate of urbanisation varied from 3.9% in Wayanad district to 68.1% in Ernakulam district. Municipalities are the urban local governments that deal with civic functions and local development functions in the municipal area. The state of Kerala has 87 municipalities and six municipal corporations. With 13 municipalities, the district of Ernakulam has the most municipalities in the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kerala Institute of Local Administration</span> Autonomous training, research and consultancy organisation

Kerala Institute of Local Administration, abbreviated as KILA, is an autonomous training, research and consultancy organisation constituted under the Ministry of Local Self Government, Government of Kerala, registered as per Travancore – Cochin Literacy, Scientific and Charitable Societies Act-1955. KILA was established in 1990, in the pattern of a national institute, with the main objective of strengthening decentralization and local governance.

People's Plan Campaign, held in 1996 in Kerala State, was an experiment in decentralization of powers to local governments with focus on local planning. Kerala State lies in the south-west part of India. In India's Ninth Five-Year Plan, each state within the national federation was expected to draw up its own annual plan and the People's Plan was an offshoot of it.

Municipal or local governance refers to the third tier of governance in India, at the level of the municipality or urban local body.

A district planning committee (DPC) is the committee created as per article 243ZD of the Constitution of India at the district level for planning at the district and below. The committee in each district should consolidate the plans prepared by the Panchayats and the municipalities in the district and prepare a draft development plan for the district.

A tehsil is a local unit of administrative division in India and Pakistan. It is a subdistrict of the area within a district including the designated populated place that serves as its administrative centre, with possible additional towns, and usually a number of villages. The terms in India have replaced earlier terms, such as pargana (pergunnah) and thana.

Local government in India is governmental jurisdiction below the level of the state. Local self-government means that residents in towns, villages and rural settlements are the people who elect local councils and their heads authorising them to solve the important issues. India is a federal republic with three spheres of government: central, state and local. The 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments give recognition and protection to local governments and in addition each state has its own local government legislation. Since 1992, local government in India takes place in two very distinct forms. Urban localities, covered in the 74th amendment to the Constitution, have Nagar Palika but derive their powers from the individual state governments, while the powers of rural localities have been formalized under the panchayati raj system, under the 73rd amendment to the Constitution.

Local bodies in Tamil Nadu constitute the three tier administration set-up in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a system of local government which forms the last level from the Centre. Chennai Corporation in the then Madras Presidency, established in 1688, is the oldest such local body not only in India but also in any commonwealth nations outside United Kingdom.

Parali Grama panchayat is a gram panchayat in the Palakkad district, state of Kerala, India. It is a local government organization that serves the villages of Parli-I and Parli-II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panchayati raj</span> Indian political system

The Panchayat raj is a political system, originating from the Indian subcontinent, found mainly in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. It is one of the oldest systems of local government in the Indian subcontinent, and historical mentions date to around 250 CE. The word raj means "rule" and panchayat means "assembly" (ayat) of five (panch). Traditionally, Panchayats consisted of wise and respected elders chosen and accepted by the local community. These assemblies settled disputes between both individuals and villages. However, there were varying forms of such assemblies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Administration of Malappuram district</span>

The Malappuram district has four types of administrative hierarchies:

This District has four types of administrative hierarchies:

Oral democracy is a talk-based form of government and political system in which citizens of a determined community have the opportunity to deliberate, through direct oral engagement and mass participation, in the civic and political matters of their community. Additionally, oral democracy represents a form of direct democracy, which has the purpose of empowering citizens by creating open spaces that promote an organized process of discussion, debate, and dialogue that aims to reach consensus and to impact policy decision-making. Political institutions based on this idea of direct democracy seek to decrease the possibilities of state capture from elites by holding them accountable, to encourage civic participation and collective action, and to improve the efficiency and adaptability of development interventions and public policy implementation.

References

  1. "Bill No.145" (PDF). niyamasabha.org. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  2. "Kerala Municipality Act, 1994" (PDF).
  3. "The Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1994" (PDF).
  4. "National Panchayati Raj Day 2023: History, significance and theme". cnbctv18.com. 24 April 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  5. "Local body institutions in Kerala (1995-2015)". lsgkerala.gov.in. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  6. "Local Bodies | Local Self Government Department". lsgkerala.gov.in. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  7. Local bodies list of Kerala, LSGD Kerala
  8. "List of Local bodies In Kerala, Local Self-Government Department, Government of Kerala" (PDF). Local Self-Government Department (LSGD). Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  9. "Grama Sabha / Ward Sapha in Kerala | PDF | Democracy | Political Ideologies". Scribd.
  10. "Kerala panchayats performing better but not generating adequate funds: Study – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  11. "Local Self Government Department | Local Self Government Department".
  12. Local Governments in Kerala : Reforms, Decentralized Development & Local Government Finances, Mulagunnathukavu, Kerala Institute of Local Administration, 2003 Contents
  13. "People Centric Service Delivery in Local Self Government Institutions" (PDF). kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  14. Transfer of Functions to Local Governments in Kerala: Major Issues keralaeconomy.com
  15. "Impact of Decentralisation on Health Sector in Kerala". The New Indian Express. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  16. Decentralisation of the Health Care Sector in Kerala: Some Issues, by Dr. Lakshmi Narayana
  17. Kerala’s Grass-roots-led Pandemic Response: Deciphering the Strength of Decentralisation by National institute of urban affairs.
  18. "Decentralisation Participatory Planning and Development in Kerala" (PDF). kila.ac. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  19. See Economic Review 2001 of the Kerala State Planning Board
  20. See K Rajasekharan: Reforming Local Governance in India : A New Paradigm for Development In T M Joseph, Ed : New Governance Paradigm : Issues in Development P327 - 346, Delhi, Kalpaz Publications, 2008