Edavaka
Grama Panchayat

 Edavaka Panchayat

After India attained independence, local self-government systems differed from state to state. Article 40 of the Indian Constitution directed states to establish Panchayats and empower them to function as institutions of self-government. This provision was also included as Entry 5 in the State List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. Although many states enacted laws for Panchayats, significant progress in strengthening local self-government did not take place initially.

With Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru showing keen interest in improving the Panchayat Raj system, Balwantrai Mehta was appointed in 1957 to study the matter and provide recommendations. Based on the committee’s report, which was approved by the National Development Council in 1958, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated India’s first Panchayat Raj system at Nagaur in Rajasthan on 2 October 1959. Balwantrai Mehta later came to be known as the “Father of Panchayat Raj.” In Kerala, his birthday, February 19, is observed as Panchayat Day.

Before independence and until 1960, Kerala had different local governance systems in Travancore, Cochin, and Malabar, which was then part of the Madras State. Wayanad, including Edavaka, belonged to the Malabar region of the Madras State. Local administration in the Madras State, including Malabar district, was largely carried out under District Boards.

On 1 November 1956, Travancore, Cochin, and Malabar were merged to form the state of Kerala. In 1957, following the general elections, the ministry led by E. M. S. Namboodiripad assumed office. Like other Indian states, Kerala introduced Panchayats and enacted legislation for their functioning. Panchayats established under the Kerala Panchayat Act of 1960 initially functioned under Special Officers. Elections to local self-government institutions were held during November and December 1963, and the newly elected governing bodies came into existence on 1 January 1964.

The first governing body of Edavaka Panchayat was headed by Shri P. Kunhiraman Nair as President. Shri T.S. Parameswara Iyer served as Vice President, and the members included A. Sankaran Nambiar, Munjanattu Paily, P.E. Gopalan, Poolakkal Vellan, and Smt. P.C. Devaki Amma. Smt. Devaki Amma was a nominated member. The government extended the term of this governing body several times, and it continued in office until 31 January 1979.

In 1964, the Edavaka Panchayat Office started functioning in a rented building at Pandikkadavu owned by Ali Hassan Moithu.

On 29 May 1976, the Panchayat shifted to its own office building constructed on ten cents of land donated free of cost by Chaliyadan Kunjabdulla Haji at Pallikkal. The building was inaugurated by Local Self-Government Minister Shri Avukkadar Kutty Naha.

Following the elections held in January 1979, a new governing body assumed office with Shri E.M. Sankaran Master as President and Shri V. Ibrahim as Vice President. The Panchayat committee had nine members, including M.N. Shambhu Master, O.T. Kunhananthan Nambiar, A.M. Kunhiraman, V. Kunjikkoya, Thurakka Tharuvai, Cheriya Raman, and Smt. C.U. Elamma. This governing body continued until 18 October 1984.

As in many other Panchayats in Kerala, Edavaka Panchayat was subsequently placed under administrative rule until 1 February 1988. The Taluk Panchayat Officer functioned as the Administrator during this period.

In the 1988 elections, Edavaka Panchayat had ten wards. Shri E.M. Sankaran Master was elected President, and Smt. C.U. Elamma became Vice President. Other members included Smt. Mary John, O.T. Kunhananthan Nambiar, K. Balakrishnan, A.M. Kunhiraman, Moodambath Mohammed, K.K. Vellan, K.T. Prakash, and Aniyarath Ahmed. On 10 February 1994, Panchayat governing bodies were converted into Administrative Committees and allowed to continue until fresh elections were held.

On 13 January 1990, the Panchayat Cultural Centre was inaugurated by Electricity and Rural Development Minister Shri T. Sivadasa Menon.

Under the Kerala Panchayat Act of 1960, Panchayats were granted only limited financial and administrative powers along with very modest resource bases. During this period, the Panchayat system functioned only at the village level.

History of Governance in Edavaka Grama Panchayat

The present three-tier Panchayat system and urban local bodies in Kerala function on the basis of the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act and Kerala Municipality Act passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1994, following the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments enacted by the Indian Parliament in 1993

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As the term of the governing body ended in November 2015, the administrative responsibilities of the Panchayat were temporarily vested in an Administrative Committee consisting of the Grama Panchayat Secretary, Assistant Engineer, and Agriculture Officer from 12 November until the newly elected governing body assumed office.

The newly elected members took oath and assumed office on 1 November 2015. For the 2015–2020 term, the position of President was reserved for a Scheduled Tribe woman. The governing body was led by Smt. Usha Vijayan, who was elected from the First Ward, Orappeel, in Edavaka Grama Panchayat.

Details of the Governing Body Members (2015–2020)

Local Self-Government Elections – 2020Edavaka Grama Panchayat

Local Self-Government Elections – 2020

The governing body continued in office until December 2025.

Local Self-Government Elections – 2025Edavaka Grama Panchayat

Governing Body Members