These are the noteworthy features of Kerala’s decentralized planning. All Local Governments must set apart 10% of their Development Fund (excluding Union Finance Commission Grants) for the projects that directly benefit women. It enables gender-focused initiatives such as Gender status study, Gender-responsive planning, Gender budgeting, interventions to curb gender-based violence, etc. to be mainstreamed into local governance.

An allocation proportionate to the population of tribal and SC communities is made to local governments of all tiers which is to be exclusively used for the well-being and betterment of tribal and SC communities. 10% of the total development grants to LSGs is spent as SC Sub Plan to and 2% as Tribal Sub plan. These are typically spent on asset creation, education, health and livelihood support, as well as other special initiatives. Besides, 5% of Development Fund should be earmarked for children, differently abled and transgender; and another 5% for old age and palliative care projects.