Latest news with #KeralaPanchayatRajAct
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Kerala State Finance Commission seeks suggestions to improve governance, finances of local bodies
The 7th State Finance Commission is seeking the public's views on a range of topics related to the governance and finances of local bodies in Kerala, including the potential of capital market borrowings in funding their development projects, expanding their revenue base and efficient disaster mitigation at the local level. The 7th commission, constituted last year with former State Planning Board member K.N. Harilal as its chairman, is tasked with studying the fiscal position of rural and urban local bodies in Kerala and recommending measures to strengthen their finances. Questionnaire In a detailed questionnaire, the commission has sought suggestions from the public on possible new sources of revenue for panchayats, municipalities and Corporations. The public's opinion has also been sought on raising capital/loans from the market for funding local-level development projects. Enhancing the resource raising capacity of local governments through tax and non-tax revenues has an important place in the terms of reference (ToR) of the 7th commission. The panel, among other things, is also required to propose 'frameworks for local governments to raise resources from financial institutions and markets and by employing other means such as land pooling and public private participation.' Budget proposal The 2025-26 State Budget too contained a proposal to enable local bodies to raise ₹1,000 crore through 'municipal bonds, green bonds and pooled municipal bonds.' This money would be used to construct IT parks, commercial centres, roads, and implement waste management and water supply schemes. In May this year, the Greater Chennai Corporation had made news when it listed municipal bonds in the National Stock Exchange to raise funds for projects. Among other things, the commission has also sought 'constructive suggestions' from the public regarding the planning and implementation of disaster-mitigation measures. The commission's ToR requires it to recommend steps that 'enable local governments to contribute effectively to disaster management.' Improving administration The commission is taking suggestions regarding measures for improving administration in local bodies, cutting down their expenses, efficient deployment of resources and improving public services. Feedback is also being taken on the current deployment of the general purpose fund and the maintenance funds, the development fund, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes subplans, projects that can be undertaken in collaboration with other local bodies and government departments, and the care of the elderly and bedridden patients. The State Finance Commissions are constituted by the State government under clause 1 of Article 243 (I) and (Y) of the Indian Constitution alongside relevant sections of the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act and the Kerala Municipalities Act to assess the financial position of rural and urban local bodies and make recommendations to the Governor. The questionnaire can be accessed on the commission's website and the Finance department's website
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
An unauthorised canine shelter dogs Kunnathunadu panchayat
Efforts to take the number of stray dogs being sheltered at a rented house in Parakkode East ward of Kunnathunadu panchayat in Ernakulam district as part of the implementation of an order of the Revenue Divisional Officer failed after the woman who runs the shelter allegedly did not cooperate with officials. A team of officials from the Animal Husbandry department, the veterinary hospital, and the Kunnathunadu panchayat had gone to the house with the Kunnathunadu police on Wednesday. However, the woman allegedly locked them out. Eventually, an official had to scale the compound wall to get the number of the stray dogs. Tension has been prevailing in the area following the rift between the woman and residents, who have been complaining about the hygiene concerns and the threat posed by so many strays. The residents had staged a march led by P.V. Sreenijin, MLA, representing Kunnathunadu, to the house on March 6, demanding that the dogs be shifted to a safer place immediately. Mr. Sreenijin alleged that the dog shelter facility was functioning without the necessary licence issued by the panchayat as per the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act. The long-running feud further boiled over when several strays managed to emerge outside the gated house on Tuesday night. This led to intensified protests by the residents who alerted the police and the panchayat authorities. 'There was a commotion in the area, and when we rang her up, she said that she was out to buy dog feed and had locked the gate. She further alleged that someone opposed to her would have deliberately unlocked it to bring her bad name,' said Prasanna I.N., member of the Parakkode East ward. As the commotion continued, the power supply in the area was disrupted, and the woman alleged that she was assaulted in between, citing the bloody wound on her head. The Kunnathunadu police have registered an assault case. There was yet another flare-up on Wednesday night when the compound wall of the house was pulled down under the cover of darkness, amidst a disruption in the power supply. The police said that the RDO had ordered her to vacate the house by May 9 and that the dogs be either given away for adoption or moved to an Animal Birth Control Centre. 'The panchayat secretary has given her a stop memo while there are also reports against the unauthorised dog shelter by the health inspector and veterinary hospital as well,' said Jancy Davis, Kunnathunadu panchayat president. The woman had moved to the area some four months ago, and the agreement, she claimed, included a clause about the sheltering of dogs. She all along claimed that she had taken the necessary precautions to ensure that the presence of dogs did not create any problems for residents.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Final notification on delimitation subject to results of petitions, says HC
The Kerala High Court on Monday (May 26) ordered that the final notifications on delimitation of wards in Naduvil panchayat and Uduma panchayat in Kannur and Kasaragod districts, respectively, would be subject to the result of the writ petitions filed in this regard. The order was passed on two writ petitions filed by the UDF leaders in these panchayats challenging the final notification issued by the Delimitation Commission. The petitioners contended that the final notification was violative of the constitutional provisions and the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act. The Delimitation Commission had published the final notification in the Naduvil panchayat without conducting an inquiry into the objections raised by some of the people to the draft notification. They contended that the final notifications were flawed and illegal.
