Contents
Three tiers
Rural Kerala is governed locally by three tiers of panchayats:
- Grama panchayats at the village level, closest to residents
- Block panchayats covering several grama panchayats
- District panchayats covering the whole district
Towns and cities are governed by municipalities and municipal corporations.
Where the powers come from
The 73rd Amendment to the Constitution, in force since 1993, made panchayats a constitutional tier of government and listed 29 subjects in the Eleventh Schedule that states may devolve to them. Kerala’s Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, set out their powers in the state, and the People’s Plan Campaign from 1996 transferred substantial funds and responsibilities to them.
What a grama panchayat does
Depending on the subject, a grama panchayat may:
- maintain village roads, street lights and public spaces
- run or support anganwadis, primary schools and primary health institutions transferred to it
- manage drinking water schemes and waste collection
- select beneficiaries for housing and welfare schemes
- prepare an annual development plan and budget
- issue certificates and licences
How to take part
Every ward has a grama sabha, a meeting of all registered voters in the ward, which must be held regularly. The grama sabha discusses the development plan, reviews spending and selects beneficiaries for schemes. It is one of the most direct forms of democracy in India, and it works best when residents attend.
Where to find information
Panchayats publish their plans, budgets and beneficiary lists. You can also ask for information under the Right to Information Act, 2005.
[Placeholder publication. Replace with real CRGD work.]