Committees

 

  • Finance Standing Committee

    The Finance Standing Committee is the most important standing committee that controls and oversees the financial matters in the Local Self-Government Institutions (Gramat Panchayat, Block Panchayat, and District Panchayat) of Kerala.

    Unlike other committees, the Vice President of the local body officially serves as the Chairperson of this committee. The treasury and financial discipline of the Panchayat function entirely under the close monitoring of this committee.

    Main Duties and Core Functional Areas

    1. Budget Preparation:

    • This committee is responsible for preparing the Budget, which contains the estimated income and expenditure statements of the local body for the upcoming financial year.
    • The Vice President presents this budget in the steering committee/governing body meeting (General Body) and obtains its approval.

    2. Financial Scrutiny and Plan Verification:

    • The Finance Committee grants financial clearance/sanction for all schemes and projects prepared by the other standing committees (Development, Welfare, and Health & Education).
    • It verifies whether funds have been allocated accurately and whether the sanctioning of the amount is legally compliant.

    3. Enhancing Internal Revenue (Own Source Revenue - OSR):

    • Identifying ways and means to increase the Panchayat's own funds or internal revenue.
    • Ensuring the proper and timely collection of Property Tax (Building Tax), Profession Tax, D&O (Dangerous and Offensive) license fees, advertisement tax, and trade licenses.
    • Planning special campaigns to recover long-pending tax arrears.

    4. Approval of Expenditures:

    • Verifying and passing the monthly statements of accounts of all expenditures incurred within the Panchayat.
    • Allocating funds for unexpected emergency expenditures with the prior approval of the governing body.

    5. Audit Compliance:

    • Preparing precise replies to the objections (Audit Objections) and queries raised during various audits, such as the Local Fund Audit and the LGSD (Local Government Service Delivery) Audit.
    • Taking necessary steps to recover financial losses, if any have occurred.

    Composition of the Committee

    • Chairperson: The Vice President of the local body directly holds the chair of this committee.
    • Members: The Chairpersons of the other three standing committees (Development, Welfare, and Health & Education) are the ex-officio/mandatory members of the Finance Standing Committee. This ensures proper financial coordination among all committees.
    • Secretary (Convenor): The Panchayat Secretary, who is the administrative head of the local self-government institution, serves as the convenor/implementing officer of this committee. Given the financial nature of the matters, the Secretary’s presence is vital here.

    Mode of Operation

    The Finance Standing Committee meets at regular intervals to evaluate the overall financial status of the Panchayat. Progress in revenue collection and the utilization of plan funds (Expenditure Progress) are thoroughly discussed during these meetings.

    In Short: While other committees can envision and design projects, the green light from the Finance Standing Committee is mandatory to allocate funds and execute them. This committee acts as the custodian that ensures transparency and financial stability in local governance.

    Development Standing Committee

    The Development Standing Committee is one of the most critical committees leading the growth of production sectors and infrastructure in the Local Self-Government Institutions (Gramat Panchayat, Block Panchayat, and District Panchayat) of Kerala.

    This committee plays a decisive role in formulation of the Panchayat's Annual Plans and in consolidating and implementing the developmental demands raised in the Grama Sabhas. Its main responsibilities, structure, and functions are detailed below:

    Main Duties and Core Functional Areas

    1. Agriculture & Animal Husbandry:

    • Formulate schemes to promote paddy and vegetable cultivation, and distribute seeds and fertilizers to farmers at subsidized rates.
    • Implement animal husbandry projects such as dairy development, poultry farming, and goat rearing.
    • Oversee the functioning of Krishi Bhavans and veterinary hospitals.

    2. Infrastructure Development:

    • Plan the construction, tarring, and re-tarring of Panchayat roads, as well as the construction of bridges and culverts.
    • Monitor the installation and maintenance of streetlights.
    • Prepare projects for constructing and renovating public buildings (offices, community halls, markets).

    3. Soil & Water Conservation and Small-scale Irrigation:

    • Renovate canals and ponds, and construct sidewalls to protect them.
    • Set up systems to deliver water to agricultural lands through small-scale irrigation projects.
    • Construct check dams and rainwater harvesting structures.

    4. Small-Scale Industries and Employment Opportunities:

    • Provide necessary technical and financial assistance to start local small enterprises and cottage industries.
    • Promote traditional industrial sectors such as coir, handloom, and pottery.

    Composition of the Committee

    • Members: It consists of 3 to 5 members (depending on the size of the Panchayat) elected from among the ward members of the Panchayat governing body based on the system of proportional representation.
    • Chairperson: The committee members elect one person from among themselves as the Chairperson of the Development Standing Committee. Senior members of the Panchayat usually hold this position.
    • Convenor (Implementing Officer): Generally, the Assistant Engineer (AE) or the Agricultural Officer (AO) of the Panchayat serves as the convenor or implementing officer of this committee.

    Mode of Operation

    The role of this committee is monumental during the drafting stage of the local body's development plans (Plan Projects).

    1. Every year, the committee reviews the development proposals forwarded by the Grama Sabhas and Working Groups.
    2. It prioritizes these proposals and directs the Convenor to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPR).
    3. The projects approved by this committee are then submitted to the Panchayat Governing Body (General Body) and subsequently to the District Planning Committee (DPC) for final sanction. Once approved, funds are allocated, and the tender process begins.

    Points to Note: While the Panchayat President serves as the head of the governing body, the Development Standing Committee Chairperson manages the highest share of development funds and projects next to the overall administrative leadership, driving the physical execution of development on the ground.

    Welfare Standing Committee

    The Welfare Standing Committee is one of the most vital committees working for the upliftment of the marginalized and vulnerable sections of society in the Local Self-Government Institutions (Grama Panchayat, Block Panchayat, and District Panchayat) of Kerala.

    The primary objective of this committee is to ensure that development funds and welfare schemes of the Panchayat reach the rightful beneficiaries effectively. Its duties, composition, and functions are detailed below:

    Main Duties and Core Functional Areas

    1. Social Security Pensions:

    • Identify eligible beneficiaries for various social security pensions such as old-age pension, widow pension, disability pension, and agricultural labor pension, ensuring all eligibility criteria are strictly met.

    2. Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) Development:

    • Prioritize the renovation of SC/ST colonies, access to clean drinking water, and housing projects (e.g., LIFE Mission projects).
    • Ensure the timely distribution of educational benefits and scholarships to children belonging to these communities.

    3. Women & Child Development and Disability Welfare:

    • Organize awareness campaigns to prevent atrocities against women and children, and plan women's development programs driven by gender budgeting.
    • Implement schemes for distributing assistive devices (such as wheelchairs and hearing aids) to persons with disabilities, along with tailored self-employment projects.

    4. Poverty Alleviation and Employment Opportunities:

    • Identify the extremely poor within the Panchayat limits and formulate specific Micro Plans to uplift them.
    • Coordinate Kudumbashree systems, improve the functioning of neighborhood groups (Ayalkootts), and provide subsidies to women's self-employment groups.

    Composition of the Committee

    • Members: It consists of members elected from among the ward members of the Panchayat governing body based on the system of proportional representation.
    • Chairperson: The committee members elect one person from among themselves as the Chairperson of the Welfare Standing Committee.
    • Convenor (Implementing Officer): A concerned departmental official of the local body (frequently a Performance Audit Supervisor or another implementing officer designated by the Panchayat) serves as its convenor.

    Mode of Operation

    The Welfare Standing Committee meets monthly to review and deliberate on applications and projects falling under its jurisdiction. The recommendations and Beneficiary Lists approved by this committee are submitted to the Panchayat General Body (Governing Body Meeting) for final sanction. Projects are allocated funds and executed only after getting formal approval from the governing body.

    Important Note: Generally, local bodies feature four main standing committees: Finance, Development, Welfare, and Health & Education. Out of these, the Chairperson position of at least one committee is mandatory reserved for a woman (proportionate to the overall representation of women in the governing body).