Kerala Becomes First State to Introduce Social Audit in Local Bodies

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is set to become the first state in the country to bring every development and welfare initiative of local self -government institutions under social audit, Local Self- Governments Minister M B Rajesh has announced. He was responding to the discussions in the Assembly on the Kerala Municipality Amendment Bill and the Kerala Panchayat Raj Amendment Bill.

“The intention is to hand over power to the people. Every citizen will have the right to evaluate development and welfare activities. Kerala has been a pioneer in decentralisation, showing the way to the rest of the country,” the minister said.

The amendment bills also introduce fresh criteria for reservation of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe wards. If the population of both communities is equal, the initial reservation will be decided by draw of lots, followed by a rotational system in subsequent elections.

The bills further restrict the random installation of advertisement hoardings in local body limits. Instead, designated spaces will be allotted where boards may be put up with due fees and approval.

Rajesh highlighted that during 2011–15, the average allocation for plan grants to local bodies was 24.11 per cent, which has risen to 27.26 per cent in 2021–25. “Despite severe financial strain, the Left government has ensured a systematic increase,” he noted. He reminded that discontinuation of performance audit was a policy decision announced in the 2021 state budget.

The minister also stressed that adequate checks already exist, including internal vigilance mechanisms, tribunals, and the Ombudsman, to monitor local bodies. He criticised the Opposition UDF for boycotting development sessions, which he said deprived local councils of an opportunity to present their five-year development agenda.

After the debate, the bills were referred to the Subject Committee. Legislators Kadakampally Surendran, D K Murali, P C Vishnunath, Aryadan Shoukath, and A K M Ashraf took part in the discussion.