Vision And Mission
Development Strategy, Policy and Vision
Development Policy and Approach
Integrated Development Approach
During the plan period, the Block Panchayat aims at the comprehensive development of the Block Panchayat and the Grama Panchayats within its jurisdiction by making maximum use of the convergence possibilities within the Block Panchayat area, utilizing State Government grants and Centrally Sponsored Schemes, and following the new Kerala development models implemented in association with the Grama Panchayats.
This plan is being initiated at a time when we are creating new pathways for survival by collectively addressing the crises we face. During the previous plan period, we were able to achieve most of the targets that had been set. For example, against the target of establishing five Smart Classrooms, we were able to establish eight Smart Classrooms, exceeding the target.
Agriculture Sector
The achievements made in the agricultural sector during the previous plan period need to be continued during this plan period as well. As the availability of agricultural land is declining, it is necessary to increase productivity through modern agricultural practices. Development in the agricultural sector will focus on productivity, income and sustainability.
The Block Panchayat intends to implement innovative methods for increasing productivity during the Fourteenth Five-Year Plan period. Measures need to be taken on the basis of watershed action plans for water conservation, prevention of waterlogging and prevention of soil erosion. The Watershed Action Plan initiated under the leadership of the Hon. Kunnamkulam MLA, Shri A. C. Moideen, is expected to be useful for this purpose.
Efforts are being made to ensure cultivation by constructing check dams according to water availability. It is essential to obtain the support of the Department of Agriculture to prepare crop calendars based on the quantity of available water and the type of soil and to take further action accordingly.
Multi-crop-based agricultural development will be the focus during this Five-Year Plan period. Paddy cultivation needs to be made more scientific, and efforts may be made to formulate suitable projects for this purpose. We need to formulate projects that make maximum use of science and technology in agriculture to overcome the challenges posed by climate change.
Systems for producing and marketing value-added agricultural products need to be developed during this plan period. Efforts should also be initiated to establish a cold-storage facility within the Block Panchayat area with Government assistance for preserving agricultural produce without deterioration.
Efforts should be made to achieve self-sufficiency by promoting vegetable cultivation on a large scale. Projects should be formulated to expand milk subsidies and achieve self-sufficiency in this sector. Projects to promote cultivation on fallow land should also be formulated.
Efforts should be made to strengthen Agricultural Task Forces and labour banks. Kudumbashree groups should be encouraged to participate in this sector. Markets should be identified for coconut and arecanut, and suitable incentives should be provided.
Efforts should also be initiated to prevent crop damage, particularly to paddy cultivation, caused by wild boars and other animals, which is currently a problem faced by the Panchayats.
Water Conservation
While the focus during the previous plan period was on ensuring drinking-water availability by initiating as many drinking-water projects as possible, the focus has now shifted towards water conservation.
Following the floods of 2018, it is necessary to formulate development projects in accordance with the climate changes being experienced by the State. Available water should be conserved to the maximum extent possible through well recharge. This should help address the decline in surface-water availability.
In addition, maximum water storage should be achieved through the renovation of public water bodies. For this purpose, efforts are being made to undertake the renovation of the Anakkundu water body, which extends across Kattakampal and Porkulam Panchayats, through feasible means.
The Block Panchayat also believes that groundwater recharge should be initiated, as groundwater resources are declining along with surface water. The “Thelineerozhukum Navakeralam” (Clean Water Flowing New Kerala) initiative envisages projects for the renovation and cleaning of water bodies.
Fisheries and Aquaculture
Although fish farming was initiated as part of the Subhiksha Kerala programme, significant progress has not been achieved in this sector. With the establishment of a Fisheries Bhavan at Kecchery within the Block Panchayat, it is considered necessary to make substantial interventions in this field.
Our motto should be “scientific and focused fish farming for higher yields.” The existing household-based tarpaulin pond system should be expanded and made more scientific. The possibility of initiating fish farming in public water bodies should also be examined.
Markets should be identified for the fish produced through these activities, and price stability should be ensured for farmers. Efforts should also be made to conserve indigenous fish resources.
For this purpose, it is proposed to form fish farmers' groups in each Panchayat. Farmers who successfully undertake fish farming should also be involved in the production of fish seed.
Industrial Sector
The Block Panchayat has not been able to successfully implement significant projects in the industrial sector. This needs to change. The Common Facility Centre should be implemented successfully.
In association with the State Government, efforts should be made to create new employment opportunities. The possibility of establishing a Skill Training Centre in the Block Panchayat should be examined.
Efforts should also be made to encourage start-up enterprises. The services of the District Industries Officer should be utilized for this purpose.
The possibility of establishing an industrial park should be examined and appropriate action taken. The possibility of establishing industrial parks on unused land available in the Panchayats should also be explored.
Once a year, single-window camps for people interested in starting industries may be organized in association with the Grama Panchayats and concerned departments.
The possibility of implementing projects in traditional manufacturing sectors such as pottery should be examined. Efforts should be made to introduce scientific and technological assistance and new machinery into traditional industries in the Grama Panchayats. Local industrial clusters should be formed for this purpose.
Public Education
The Block Panchayat intends to formulate projects for the protection and strengthening of public education in alignment with the programmes formulated and implemented by the State Government.
Efforts will be made to establish more Smart Classrooms and to construct laboratories. During this period, the Block Panchayat will also strive to provide disability-friendly facilities in schools.
Efforts will be made to improve learning levels and educational facilities for students who face difficulties in learning, particularly those residing in colonies. The continuing education sector will also be strengthened and the necessary facilities provided.
Steps will be taken during this period to improve the BUDS School within the Block Panchayat area.
Housing
Efforts will continue to strengthen the LIFE Mission implemented by the State Government and to provide land to landless people and houses to homeless families.
During this period, it is proposed to conduct a campaign for purchasing land for landless families with public participation under the “Manassodithiri Mannu” initiative.
Along with the LIFE Mission, efforts will also be made to provide houses to eligible beneficiaries through the Awas Plus component of the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G).
Identification and Follow-up of Extremely Poor Families
During this period, efforts will be made to complete the target of eliminating extreme poverty under the Fourteenth Five-Year Plan and to enable Kerala to become the first State to achieve this target.
Special projects are proposed for extremely poor families. Efforts will be made during this period to achieve the objective of making the Block Panchayat an “extreme-poverty-free Block Panchayat.”
It is envisaged that our Block will soon become a Block Panchayat free from extreme poverty.
Women and Child Development
During this period, the Block Panchayat intends to formulate and implement welfare programmes for women and children.
For this purpose, efforts will be made to establish a Block-level Cell for addressing dowry-related complaints during the current year itself.
Projects should be formulated to create greater employment opportunities for educated women and to improve their skill development, employability, capacity and willingness to work.
Awareness and educational programmes relating to women's safety and the exploitation faced by children will be conducted during this period.
Gender budgeting should be brought into practice. Measures will also be taken to strengthen the implementation of the law prohibiting sexual harassment at workplaces.
If the Block Panchayat is able to intervene in programmes such as the Government's proposed Smart Kitchen and pension scheme for homemakers, appropriate projects will be formulated in accordance with Government directions.
Transgender Persons
Efforts will be made during this period to give due consideration to transgender persons and to formulate special projects for them.
All possible assistance will be provided to help them establish self-employment enterprises and emerge into leadership positions in society.
A special Block-level Cell will be established to coordinate and implement activities for transgender persons during the Five-Year Plan period. Their cooperation and participation will also be ensured.
Elderly Care
With the objective of protecting senior citizens, efforts will be made to establish elderly care centres at the village level, extending such facilities across all Grama Panchayats.
Efforts will be made to strengthen the Day Care/Home for the Elderly initiative. A committee of senior citizens using these centres will be formed, and efforts will be made to provide financial assistance under its leadership. The possibility of providing such financial assistance will be examined.
The Block Panchayat aims to implement programmes such as elderly neighbourhood groups, senior citizens' clubs, elderly parks, and the participation of healthy senior citizens in local development activities.
Appropriate healthcare and protection programmes will also be planned for elderly persons who require support.
Environmental Protection
Environmental protection has recently emerged as one of the most important areas of development. Projects taking into account floods and climate change will be planned during the plan period.
Activities related to forest restoration will be undertaken. With the assistance of the Haritha Keralam Mission, efforts will be made to protect rivers, streams and wetlands.
Projects will be formulated to reduce carbon emissions. Measures will be taken to prevent waterlogging.
Efforts will also be made during the plan period to establish a Disaster Response/Resilience Force with public participation to address and prevent disasters.
Sports and Physical Development
Special projects are proposed in the sports sector.
Efforts will be made to provide training to sports-loving youth in the Panchayats, centred around the Senior Ground being initiated at Kunnamkulam.
By utilizing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), efforts will be made during the plan period to develop playgrounds in all Panchayats where public land is available.
Three levels of interventions are proposed:
Promotion of public health;
Promotion of recreational activities; and
Promotion of specific sports disciplines.
These interventions will be implemented in accordance with the policies of the State Government.
New and Emerging Sectors
All the Panchayats within the Chowannur Block area are densely populated. Therefore, innovative ideas and new opportunities need to be explored and utilized.
Accordingly, the possibilities offered by emerging sectors promoted by the State Government, particularly sectors such as Information Technology, will be examined and efforts will be made to implement suitable initiatives during this period.
Health Sector
The importance of the health sector became particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ongoing modernization works at Pazhanji Community Health Centre, being carried out using the fund of the Hon. Kunnamkulam MLA, need to be completed. It should be possible to commence in-patient treatment at the centre.
New initiatives in the palliative-care sector need to be introduced. Special projects should be implemented for persons with disabilities, particularly for ensuring their health and safety.
Special programmes will be formulated for women and children suffering from nutritional deficiencies.
The possibility of providing treatment for age-related illnesses among senior citizens will be examined.
Cancer-detection programmes implemented by the Block Panchayat independently during the previous plan period and subsequently in association with the District Panchayat need to be continued.
The possibility of implementing a special programme for children suffering from serious illnesses will be examined.
In accordance with Government policies, efforts will be made to provide modern medical treatment through the Community Health Centre.
The physiotherapy centre will be further improved.
There is currently an Ayurveda hospital within the Block Panchayat area only in Kadangode Panchayat. Projects will be implemented in cooperation with the Grama Panchayat to improve this facility.
Sanitation and Waste Management
Projects formulated and implemented by the State Government in the field of sanitation and waste management will be implemented either independently by the Block Panchayat or jointly with the Grama Panchayats.
The Block Panchayat is committed to making the existing Resource Recovery Facility (RRF) fully operational and taking urgent measures for waste management.
The possibility of establishing sewage treatment plants will be examined.
As part of the Thelineerozhukum Navakeralam programme, the Block Panchayat intends to renovate and clean public ponds and canals within its jurisdiction.
Local-level mechanisms will be formed for this purpose and efforts will be made to implement the projects effectively through them.
By preparing a Watershed Action Plan and utilizing available Central and State Government schemes, efforts will be made to test well water and take necessary measures.
The Block Panchayat is committed to upholding the vision that clean drinking water is a fundamental right of the people.
Tourism
The possibility of intervention by the Block Panchayat in the tourism sector will be examined.
Projects may be implemented with the assistance of the Tourism Department by connecting local tourism destinations within the Block Panchayat area.
As the region is rich in festivals, the possibility of implementing special projects associated with local festivals will also be examined.
Infrastructure Development
Infrastructure development is considered an important component of creating a New Kerala.
Therefore, projects will be formulated during the plan period for the renovation of roads and drainage systems within the Block Panchayat area and for preparing a road map.
Joint projects will be implemented in association with the Grama Panchayats for road development.
Efforts will also be made to utilize the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for this purpose.
During this plan period, the Block Panchayat will undertake the construction required for its constituent institutions, as well as necessary infrastructure repairs and improvements for MGNREGS activities and other sectors.
Conclusion
Since every democratic government is a continuation of the governments that preceded it, the present administration is responsible for continuing and completing the projects implemented by the previous governing body.
During this plan period, efforts will be made to complete, wherever possible, the projects that were formulated and initiated during the previous plan period but remain incomplete.
The Block Panchayat is committed to successfully implementing the projects formulated by the State Government in coordination with the three-tier local self-government system, continuing development activities with a clear vision and direction, and achieving the intended objectives.
Building upon the progress achieved during the previous plan period and moving forward with greater determination, the Block Panchayat administration is committed to achieving more than 100% progress in plan implementation during the forthcoming plan period, to the extent possible.
During this plan period, the Chowannur Block Panchayat will strive to put forward a development vision that seeks to create practical alternatives to neoliberal policies and promote a people-centred and sustainable development approach.
