Chembilode
Grama Panchayat

Health and Education Standing Committee: Main Responsibilities

The Health and Education Standing Committee is another important standing committee in the village panchayats of Kerala. This committee oversees vital sectors such as public health, sanitation, primary education, sports, and culture.

Below are the key details regarding this committee:

1. Composition and Chairperson

• Chairperson: The chairperson of the committee is elected democratically by the committee members from among themselves.
• Members: A fixed number of members chosen from the other members of the panchayat governing body serve on this committee.

2. Key Responsibilities and Powers

The committee is responsible for planning and executing the following matters related to health and education within the village panchayat limits:

A) Health Sector

• Supervision of Health Centers: Evaluate the functioning of Family Health Centres, Primary Health Centres, and Ayurvedic/Homeopathic hospitals under the panchayat.
• Epidemic Prevention: Organize preventive measures and awareness programs to stop the spread of communicable diseases such as dengue and leptospirosis.
• Sanitation and Waste Management: Ensure public cleanliness in the panchayat, lead the operations of Haritha Karma Sena (green workforce), and oversee waste management projects.
• Food Safety: Take measures to inspect hygiene and quality standards in hotels and shops.

B) Education Sector

• School Development: Improve the physical infrastructure (buildings, drinking water, toilets) of government and aided primary and upper primary schools within the panchayat limits.
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Ensure that the distribution of mid-day meals in schools is carried out properly and hygienically.
• Educational Standards: Plan special programs and scholarships to raise the academic standards of students.

C) Other Sectors

• Anganwadis: Monitor the nutritional distribution for children and pregnant women, as well as the basic infrastructure of Anganwadis.
• Arts, Sports, and Culture: Promote the preservation of local playgrounds, sports competitions, cultural festivals, and the functioning of public libraries.

3. Significance

This committee plays a major role in determining the quality of life of the people and the growth of a healthy generation in a region. Through decentralized planning at the grassroots level, this committee works continuously to bring government schemes directly to the people.

• The text describes the structure, responsibilities, and importance of the Health and Education Standing Committee in Kerala's village panchayats.
• It uses formal administrative terminology suited for local self-government bodies in Kerala.