Institutional Structure
Arpookara Grama Panchayat – Institutional Structure
Arpookara Grama Panchayat is a rural local government institution under the three-tier Panchayati Raj system of Kerala. It functions under the jurisdiction of the Ettumanoor Block Panchayat and Kottayam District Panchayat. The Panchayat consists of 16 wards represented by elected members.
Institutional Hierarchy
Government of Kerala │Local Self Government Department │Kottayam District Panchayat │Ettumanoor Block Panchayat │Arpookara Grama Panchayat │ ┌──────────────────────────────┐ │ Panchayat Council │ │ (President + Members) │ └──────────────────────────────┘ │ ├── President ├── Vice President ├── Standing Committees │ ├─ Finance Standing Committee │ ├─ Development Standing Committee │ ├─ Welfare Standing Committee │ └─ Health & Education Standing Committee │ ├── Steering Committee │ ├── Secretary │ ├── Panchayat Office Staff │ ├── Grama Sabhas (16 Wards) │ └── Working Groups & Functional Committees ├─ Tree Committee ├─ Health Committee ├─ Education Committee ├─ Haritha Karma Sena ├─ Disaster Management Committee ├─ Biodiversity Management Committee └─ Other Sectoral Committees
Panchayat Council
The Panchayat Council is the supreme decision-making body consisting of:
- President
- Vice President
- Ward Members (16 elected representatives)
- Secretary (executive officer)
The Council approves:
- Annual Plan
- Budget
- Development Projects
- Welfare Programmes
- Administrative Decisions
Standing Committees
As per the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, every Grama Panchayat has four Standing Committees:
1. Finance Standing Committee
Responsible for:
- Budget preparation
- Revenue mobilisation
- Accounts and audit follow-up
- Financial management
2. Development Standing Committee
Responsible for:
- Agriculture
- Infrastructure development
- Employment programmes
- Local economic development
3. Welfare Standing Committee
Responsible for:
- SC/ST welfare
- Women and child development
- Social security pensions
- Poverty alleviation programmes
4. Health & Education Standing Committee
Responsible for:
- Public health
- Family Health Centres
- Schools and Anganwadis
- Sanitation and nutrition programmes
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee consists of:
- President
- Vice President
- Chairpersons of all Standing Committees
It coordinates Panchayat administration and monitors implementation of decisions.
Administrative Wing
Secretary
The Secretary is the executive head of the Panchayat office and is responsible for:
- Implementing Council decisions
- Administration
- Record keeping
- Financial control
- Supervision of staff
Supporting Staff
Typically includes:
- Junior Superintendent
- Clerks
- Accountants
- Overseer/Engineer
- Data Entry Operators
- Office Attendants
Grama Sabha Structure
Arpookara Panchayat has 16 Grama Sabhas, one for each ward. The elected ward member acts as the convenor of the Grama Sabha.
Wards
- Manchadikkari
- Maniyaparambu
- Choorakkavu
- Pinanchirakuzhy
- Villoonni
- Thonnumkuzhy
- Panchayat Ward
- Nerekadavu
- Varyamuttom
- Medical College
- Angadi
- Panambalam
- Karippa
- Kolettambalam
- Perumbadappu
- Naluthodu
- Karipputhattu
Functional Institutions under Panchayat
The Panchayat coordinates and supervises local institutions such as:
- Anganwadis
- Government & Aided Schools
- Family Health Centre / Health Institutions
- Kudumbashree Units
- Haritha Karma Sena
- Public Libraries
- Veterinary Institutions
- Krishi Bhavan
- ASHA Network
- Various Beneficiary Committees