Panchayati Raj System ● Panchayati Raj System in Kerala began with enactment of Panchayati Raj Act in 1994.
● The status of Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Kerala (2010-2015) is as follows:
Elections
The Chairpersons of all the three tiers are elected through indirect elections.
The SEC also conducts elections to the District Planning Committees.
Powers, Functions and Functionaries
The elected Head of the Local Government has been declared as the executive authority.
The senior most officials of various departments brought under the control of the Local Governments. They are working as ex-officio Secretaries for those subjects.
Decentralization and devolution of function
Health: All institutions other than medical colleges and regional speciality hospitals have been placed under the control of the local governments.
Education: In rural areas the high schools and upper primary schools have been transferred to the District Panchayats and the primary schools have been transferred to Gram Panchayats;
Poverty Alleviation: The entire responsibility of poverty alleviation has gone to the local governments; all the centrally sponsored anti-poverty programmes are planned and implemented through them.
Social Welfare: Barring statutory functions relating to juvenile justice, the entire functions have been devolved to local governments. The ICDS is fully implemented by GPs and Urban Local Bodies. Care of the disabled, to a substantial degree has become a local government responsibility.
Agriculture and Allied sectors: The de facto and de jure local government functions are agricultural extension including farmer oriented support for increasing production and productivity, watershed management and minor irrigation, dairy development, animal husbandry including veterinary care & Inland fisheries.
Barring highways and major district roads,road connectivity has become local government responsibility.
Sanitation and rural water supply are being handled by local governments.
Promotion of tiny, cottage and small industries is mostly with the local governments.
All the welfare pensions are administered by the local governments.
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