Welfare Standing Committee
| Chairperson | : | Radhakrishnan Allora
| ||
| Members | : | Vinod Kumar K. P. | ||
| : | Monisha Haridas | |||
| : | Subair M. | |||
| : | Lijina P. |
Welfare Standing Committee: Main Responsibilities
The Welfare Standing Committee is one of the most humanitarian and socially significant standing committees in the village panchayats of Kerala. This committee is responsible for implementing programs aimed at the welfare and upliftment of marginalized sections of society, the economically backward, women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Below are the key details regarding this committee:
1. Composition and Chairperson
Chairperson: The chairperson of the committee is a member elected by the committee members from among themselves.
Members: A fixed number of ward members chosen from the panchayat governing body serve on this committee.
2. Key Responsibilities and Powers
To ensure the welfare of various segments of society, this committee operates in the following areas:
A) Welfare of Vulnerable Sections
SC/ST Development: Plan and implement special sub-plans (SCP/TSP) for the housing, education, and employment of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities.
Elderly Welfare: Establish senior citizen clubs and day-care homes for senior citizens, and ensure necessary medical assistance for them.
Disability Welfare: Coordinate scholarships, distribution of assistive devices (wheelchairs, hearing aids, etc.), and self-employment schemes for persons with disabilities.
B) Social Security Pensions
Ensure that various social security pensions—such as old-age pension, widow pension, disability pension, and agricultural laborer pension—reach those who are eligible.
Review new pension applications and grant approval based on eligibility criteria.
C) Women and Child Development
Support Kudumbashree activities to promote the economic self-reliance of women.
Oversee the functioning of vigilance committees to prevent atrocities against women and children.
Rehabilitate destitute families through schemes like "Agathirahitha Keralam" (Destitute-free Kerala).
D) Poverty Alleviation
Closely monitor BPL (Below Poverty Line) lists and Ashraya projects within the panchayat limits.
Play a crucial role in selecting beneficiaries for housing schemes like LIFE Mission, which provide homes for the homeless.
3. Significance
The Welfare Standing Committee is the "conscience of the panchayat," ensuring that the fruits of development reach even the people at the very bottom of society. This committee plays a vital role in building a just and equitable local community.