Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], January 1 (ANI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday extended New Year greetings to the people and called upon the newly elected local self-government institutions to focus on development and public welfare.
Addressing a press conference, CM Vijayan noted that the intense political campaigning during the recently concluded local body elections had ended and that administrative councils had assumed office across all levels. “With the elected councils taking charge, new responsibilities lie ahead of them,” he said, emphasising collective efforts toward state development.
Tracing Kerala’s historical roots of decentralised governance, Vijayan highlighted that the three-tier Panchayat system and the urban governance structure date back to 1957. The Administrative Reforms Committee, led by E.M.S., recommended Panchayats as the basic units of governance and called for greater autonomy for elected local bodies. He added that the People’s Plan Campaign of 1996 and subsequent legislative amendments, including the Citizens’ Charter and the Right to Information, strengthened local governance both financially and institutionally.
The Chief Minister noted recent structural reforms, including the formation of a unified Local Self-Government Department in February 2022, which merged Panchayat, Rural Development, Urban Affairs, Engineering, and Town and Country Planning departments to create a more people-centric governance platform. Local bodies today, he said, have far greater resources and technological support than their earlier counterparts.
Highlighting achievements in poverty eradication, Vijayan stressed that newly elected councils must ensure that those lifted out of extreme poverty remain above the threshold, and that those falling into it are brought out again under the EPEP 2.0 project. On environmental progress, he cited the ‘Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam’ project, noting significant advances toward a waste-free state and calling for sustained efforts in waste management.
The Chief Minister also highlighted key welfare initiatives, including the LIFE Housing Mission and the Kerala Care project, noting that five lakh houses under LIFE Mission are expected to be completed next month, while Kerala Care progresses toward universal palliative care.
Vijayan emphasised the collective functioning of local self-government institutions, contrasting them with legislative bodies and Parliament. “Decisions and implementation are collective, enabling representatives across party lines to work together for development,” he said.
Recalling the Mundakkai-Chooralmala tragedy of 2025, the Chief Minister underscored the state’s rehabilitation efforts. “Construction of 207 houses has reached the roofing stage, with around 1,600 workers engaged round-the-clock. Quality is ensured through 58-stage inspections and third-party testing. Contractors have a five-year defect liability,” he said, adding that around 300 houses are expected to be handed over in the first phase by February.
CM Vijayan also launched the Citizens’ Response Programme under the Nava Kerala Study Initiative, stating, “Every citizen’s opinion matters. Collecting, consolidating, and incorporating public ideas into planning is integral to democracy. I urge everyone to participate wholeheartedly to strengthen the creation of a New Kerala.” (ANI)
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