Vazhakulam
Block Panchayat

Under the leadership of India's first Prime Minister, Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, Five-Year Plans were formulated with the objective of achieving the overall development of the country. Giving importance to the Gandhian concept of India's development through its villages, Community Development Programmes were introduced to strengthen rural development activities.

Vazhakulam Block Panchayat is one of the block-level institutions established as part of such development initiatives. It has been functioning with the objective of coordinating development activities in rural areas and ensuring the social and economic progress of the people.

As part of the Community Development Programme in India, the Vazhakulam Block Office was initially started in a building belonging to Shri Madhavan Padanaar. Subsequently, the Block Office began functioning in its own building constructed on land received free of cost, with operations commencing on 30 June 1969.

During the initial period, the Block Panchayat included the Grama Panchayats of Choornikkara, Vazhakulam, Keezhmad, Kizhakkambalam and Vengola.

Over time, changes took place in Panchayat boundaries and administrative arrangements. In 1969, Choornikkara Panchayat was divided to form two Grama Panchayats: Edathala and Choornikkara. At present, six Grama Panchayats are included within the jurisdiction of Vazhakulam Block Panchayat. The formation and reorganisation of Grama Panchayats played an important role in the administrative development of the Block Panchayat.

The 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India and the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, established a clearer legal framework for the functioning of Local Self-Government Institutions.

Based on this legal framework, the activities of the Block Panchayat and its administration under elected governing committees continued to develop.

The first elected governing committee assumed office on 30 September 1995. Shri Thoppil Abu took charge as the first President.

Under the leadership of elected governing committees, various development projects have been planned and implemented in areas such as rural development, infrastructure development, agricultural progress, public health and social welfare.

Located in Ernakulam district, one of Kerala's major industrial centres, Vazhakulam Block Panchayat is an important and developing region situated among urban and industrial centres such as Aluva, Kalamassery and Perumbavoor. The region includes agricultural areas, small-scale industries, commercial establishments and residential areas, giving it geographical and economic significance.

The northern boundaries of Vazhakulam Block Panchayat include Aluva Municipality and areas of Keezhmad Grama Panchayat. The southern side includes Kizhakkambalam Grama Panchayat and the Perumbavoor region. The eastern side includes rural areas of the Kunnathunad region and the Perumbavoor area, while the western side includes Choornikkara and Aluva areas.

The Block Panchayat plans and implements various projects for the overall development of the region, which includes agricultural areas, residential settlements, and commercial and industrial activities.

Development projects are planned by considering the funds available each financial year, government guidelines, allocations from Central and State Government schemes, and income received through various institutions.

Development activities are implemented by taking into account local needs, climatic factors, regional conditions and suggestions received from various working groups.

The Block Panchayat gives priority to the restoration of traditional water sources and watershed development. Various projects are planned to promote water conservation, improve irrigation facilities and increase agricultural production.

Activities carried out in cooperation with relevant agencies, including those in the animal husbandry sector, are encouraged to support the development of agriculture and allied sectors.

Various development activities are planned to increase women's participation in employment, promote self-employment opportunities and improve family income.

Importance is also given to activities aimed at improving people's living standards through rural employment programmes and livelihood opportunities.

Importance is given to addressing public health challenges posed by diseases such as leptospirosis, chikungunya, dengue fever and COVID-19, as well as strengthening health awareness among the public.

Activities are implemented in cooperation with the relevant departments, taking into account changes in lifestyles and food habits, as well as the healthcare needs of migrant workers and their families.

Various projects are planned and implemented to promote the educational, social and health-related development of children and young people within the jurisdiction of the Block Panchayat.

Necessary support is provided for activities related to education, nutrition, healthcare and social participation.

Various welfare schemes are planned to promote the social and economic advancement of senior citizens, persons with disabilities, destitute people and other marginalised sections of society.

Efforts are made to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the benefits of development activities and to encourage initiatives that help bring them into the social mainstream.

Available information refers to the mobilisation of savings from the region through the Mahila Pradhan Savings Scheme associated with the National Savings Scheme.

These activities aimed to encourage a habit of saving among families and strengthen public participation in development activities.

In cooperation with various Grama Panchayats, activities such as road tarring, repair and maintenance are implemented to improve transportation facilities in rural areas.

These activities also aim to improve access for rural residents to educational institutions, healthcare centres, commercial centres and other public services.