Responsibilities of Local Self-Governments
In accordance with the Schedule XI and Schedule XII of Indian Constitution, powers and functions were assigned to Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies. Later, the responsibilities and functions of Local Self-Governments were included in the Schedule III, IV and V of Kerala Panchayat Raj Act and Schedule I of Kerala Municipal Act
The functions are divided in to three.
GRAMA PANCHAYAT
The responsibilities of Grama Panchayats in accordance with Schedule III of Kerala Panchayat Raj Act include
Mandatory Functions
- Collection and disposal of solid waste & regulation of liquid waste disposal
- Protect the environment by making it healthy
- Control of infectious disease carriers like mosquitoes, flies etc
- Adopt immunization programmes
- Coordinate and implement national, state and local programs for prevention and law enforcement.
- Storm water drainage
- Maintain public markets
- Light and maintain street lights
- Establish and maintain coffins and cemeteries
- Install bathrooms and laundry closets
- Provide urinals, latrines and bathing facilities in public places
- Establish ferry
- Build a waiting shed
- Prevent food adulteration
- Provide facilities for parking vehicles
- Arrange for the conduct of fairs and festivals
- Protection of public lands against encroachment
- Protect roads and other public properties
- Protect drinking water sources
- Preservation ponds and other water tanks
- Protect waterways and canals
- Regulate building construction
- Register births and deaths
- Regulate the sale of animal slaughter, fish, meat and other perishable food items
- Regulate restaurants
- Licensing of trades and industries
- Licensing of domestic dogs and elimination of stray dogs
General Function
- Awareness against social evils
- Organize relief operations
- Conduct resource mobilization
- Collect statistics
- To create legal awareness among the weaker sections
- Form neighbourhood groups
- Develop a cooperative sector
- Improve communal harmony
- Organize campaigns to inculcate frugality
- Ensure maximum public participation in development activities
- Create environmental awareness.
- Formulate local action programs for its promotion.
- Organize volunteers
- Participate in collective activities
Sectoral Function
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry and Dairying
- Minor Irrigation
- Fishing
- Social forestry
- Small scale industry
- Construction of housing
- Water supply
- Education and energy
- Education
- Public works
- Public health and sanitation
- Social welfare
- Poverty alleviation
- Development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
- Sports and cultural affairs
- System of public distribution
- Disaster relief
- Cooperation
MUNICIPALITY / CORPORATION
The responsibilities of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in accordance with Schedule I of Kerala Municipal Act include
Mandatory Functions
- Control building construction.
- Protect public spaces from encroachment
- Protect traditional drinking water sources
- Protect ponds and other water bodies.
- Protect waterways and canals under the jurisdiction of the municipality.
- Collect and dispose of solid waste and arrange liquid waste disposal.
- Drain off flood water
- Protect the environment as a health saver.
- Maintain public markets.
- Control infectious disease vectors
- Regulate the sale of animal slaughter, meat and other perishable food items.
- Regulate food establishments.
- Prevent food adulteration
- Maintain roads and other public works.
- Light the street lights and maintain them.
- Take preventive measures
- Effective implementation of national and state level strategies and programs for prevention and control
- To establish and protect cemeteries and cemeteries
- Licensing of industries, trades and services while protecting the public interest of environment, public safety and public health.
- Register births and deaths.
- Install toilets and laundry facilities.
- Establish ferry
- Provide facilities for parking vehicles.
- Construct waiting sheds for passengers.
- Provide urinals, latrines and bathing facilities in public places.
- Arrange for the conduct of fairs and festivals
- Licensing of pet dogs and destruction of stray dogs.(At present to be done as per ABC Rules.)
- Provide infrastructure in slum areas.
- Provide facilities for pedestrians including footpath and road crossing facilities.
- Prepare detailed urban planning and action plan for phased implementation.
General Function
- Collect and update essential statistics.
- Organize self-help workers and make them part of collective activities
- Organize campaigns to inculcate frugality.
- To create awareness against social evils like alcoholism, drug use, dowry and abuse of women and children.
- Ensure maximum public participation at all stages of development
- Organize relief operations during natural calamities.
- Create environmental awareness and motivate local action programs for its improvement.
- Expand the field of cooperation.
- Improve communal harmony
- Mobilize resources locally in cash or in kind, including giving free land for development purposes.
- Spread legal awareness among vulnerable groups.
- Campaign against financial crimes.
- Form neighborhood groups and self-help groups focusing on the poor
- Create awareness about civic duty
Sectoral Function
- Agriculture
- Animal husbandry and dairy development
- Minor Irrigation
- Fishing
- Social forestry
- Small scale industries
- Construction of housing
- Water supply
- Electricity and Energy
- Education
- Public works
- Public health and sanitation
- Social welfare
- Poverty alleviation
- Scheduled Castes – Development of Scheduled Tribes
- Sports and cultural affairs
- System of public distribution
- Disaster relief
- Cooperation
BLOCK PANCHAYAT
The responsibilities of Block Panchayats in accordance with Schedule IV of Kerala Panchayat Raj Act include
General Function
- Provide technical assistance to Gram Panchayats.
- Leverage government-non-government technical expertise.
- Prepare plans after taking into account Gram Panchayat's plans and provide backward-forward linkage to avoid duplication
Sectoral Function
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry and Dairying
- Minor Irrigation
- Fish connection
- Small scale industries
- Construction of housing
- Electricity and Energy
- Education
- Public works
- Public health and sanitation
- Social welfare
- Poverty alleviation
- Development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
- Cooperation
DISTRICT PANCHAYAT
The responsibilities of District Panchayats in accordance with Schedule V of Kerala Panchayat Raj Act include
General Function
- Provide technical assistance to Block Panchayats, Gram Panchayats and Municipalities.
- Mobilize technical expertise available from government and non-government organizations.
- Prepare plans after taking into account plans of gram panchayats and block panchayats and provide backward-forward linkage to avoid duplication
Sectoral Function
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry and Dairying
- Minor Irrigation
- Fishing
- Small scale industries
- Construction of housing
- Electricity and Energy
- Sports and cultural affairs
- Education
- Public works
- Public health and sanitation
- Social welfare
- Poverty alleviation
- Development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
- Cooperation