HC stays Govt. order allowing use of local body funds for Navakerala Sadas

KOCHI: The High Court issued a stay on a government order permitting secretaries to utilize funds from local bodies for the Navakerala Sadas. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas clarified that disbursement from the local fund must align with decisions made by the respective council.

The petition filed by Paravur Municipality Chairperson Beena Sasidharan challenged the government order which is currently under review until resolved.

Dated October 27, a government directive indicated that local departments should grant permission for local bodies to allocate funds for the Navakerala Sadas. However, the Additional Chief Secretary for Local Governance authorized the expenditure on November 1 prompting the petitioner's objections.

The High Court emphasized that the government lacks the authority to dictate the spending of local body funds. Funds in the private fund must serve the needs of their respective institutions.

The petition asserts that the government order encroaches upon the autonomy of local bodies. Additionally, concerns were raised about a government mandate requiring fixed payments from all local bodies.

The Additional Chief Secretary clarified that permission was granted to spend money from the local bodies' own funds. Despite arguments from the Advocate General supporting the government's authority under local laws, the stay was upheld as the petition was deemed genuinely.