Functions and Powers

Under the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, the primary duties and powers of the Block Panchayat—the intermediate tier of the three-tier Panchayat system—are outlined below:

A. General Duties

1. Utilize technical expertise from both government and non-government sources at the block level.

2. Provide technical assistance to Grama Panchayats.

3. Formulate plans—taking into account the plans of Grama Panchayats to avoid duplication—and establish backward and forward linkages.

B. Sector-specific Duties

I. Agriculture

1. Train farmers for schemes implemented at the rural level.

2. Arrange for agricultural inputs required for rural-level schemes.

3. Conduct agricultural exhibitions.

4. Maintain watersheds located within the Block Panchayat area.

5. Mobilize agricultural credit.

6. Promote sericulture.

II. Animal Husbandry and Dairy Production

1. Operate veterinary polyclinics and regional artificial insemination centers.

2. Provide expert services in animal husbandry.

3. Conduct livestock and poultry exhibitions.

III. Minor Irrigation

Implementation and maintenance of all lift irrigation and minor irrigation projects serving more than one Grama Panchayat.

IV. Fisheries

Development of traditional landing centers.

V. Small-scale Industry

1. Establishment of mini-industrial estates.

2. Promotion of industries with investment limits up to one-third of the SSI (Small Scale Industry) limit.

3. Formulation of self-employment schemes in the industrial sector.

VI. Housing

1. Promotion of low-cost housing.

2. Encouragement of housing cooperative societies.

VII. Electricity and Energy: Development of non-conventional energy sources.

VIII. Education

Management of government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

IX. Public Works

1. Maintenance of village roads within the Block Panchayat area that connect multiple Grama Panchayats, as well as other roads vested in the Block Panchayat.

2. Construction of buildings for institutions transferred from the government.

X. Public Health and Sanitation

[Facilities/services] across all systems of medicine within the Block Panchayat area.

XI. Social Welfare: Implementation of ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) programs.

XII. Poverty Alleviation

1. Plan and implement employment security schemes in collaboration with Grama Panchayats.

2. Foster an aptitude for self-employment among the poor and provide wage employment to those living below the poverty line.

XIII. Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development

1. Run pre-matric hostels.

2. Promote cooperative societies for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

XIV. Cooperation

1. Organize cooperative societies within the limits of the Block Panchayat.

2. Strengthen cooperative institutions.