Cabinet approves division of wards; decision to form commission

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet approved the division of wards in local self-government bodies in the state. An ordinance will be issued for it. A decision has been taken in the cabinet to form a commission headed by the state election commissioner for the ward division. All local bodies will have one more ward. The cabinet met today with a single agenda of division of local wards. It is heard that 1200 new wards will be formed.

A decision has now been taken to redefine the local government wards according to population in the state. It is reported that it will take six months to complete the process. At present there are 21,865 people's representatives in 1200 local bodies. 1200 members will increase. 67 crore rupees more will be required for five years to pay them honorarium.

The Panchayati Raj and Municipality Acts will be amended to add each ward in all local bodies in proportion to the population. In panchayats, there is one ward for every thousand people. The re-evaluation is based on the assessment that the population has increased. There are 13 wards in small panchayats and 23 in large panchayats.

In January 2019, before the last local elections, an ordinance was placed for the division of wards, but the governor did not sign it. The Governor signed the bill passed by the Assembly in February 2020 but abandoned the amendment in favor of another ordinance due to the impossibility of ward division during Covid.

Local wards are determined on the basis of census. Population growth is not estimated as no census was held in 2021. That is why there is a need for an amendment to the law and an ordinance. Reassessment is intended as per the 2011 census. There is criticism from the opposition regarding this. The meeting was held at 9 in the morning under the chairmanship of the chief minister. The action is taking place when the local elections are going to be held in December next year.