Vellarada
Grama Panchayat

Vellarada Grama Panchayat, established in 1953, had Shri N. Eeswara Pillai as its first President.

Recognizing that sufficient development was not achieved even after the completion of eight Five-Year Plans post-independence in Kerala, the decentralized planning initiative known as the 'People's Plan Campaign' (Janakeeyasoothrana Prasthanam) was launched on August 17, 1996, under the leadership of the then Chief Minister, E. M. S. Namboodiripad. This campaign was created to delegate the authority to plan and implement development projects to the Local Self-Government Institutions.

As part of this movement, 35-40% of the state budget was earmarked for the three-tier Panchayats. The People's Plan Campaign successfully fostered community action in all vital sectors of society, including agriculture, education, health, energy, and small-scale industries.

Impact on Vellarada Panchayat

In Vellarada Grama Panchayat, various schemes proposed by the Grama Sabhas (Ward Assemblies) have been formulated and implemented over time.

Vellarada is a land of ordinary farmers whose livelihoods depended on agriculture, wage labour, and cattle rearing. Priority was given to crops like paddy, coconut, tapioca, pepper, and banana. However, changes in climate and reduced water availability created significant setbacks in the agricultural sector. Nevertheless, the irrigation projects established under the People's Plan Campaign during different periods, and farming methods prioritizing water conservation by digging rain pits (mazhakkuzhi), provided a new lease of life to the agricultural sector.

The People's Plan also included several projects in the animal husbandry sector. Ensuring the availability of medicine at the veterinary hospital and providing greater encouragement for cattle rearing and fodder cultivation resulted in strong progress in this area.

Addressing Major Challenges (Poverty, Housing, and Water)

Despite passing through many Five-Year Plans, the issues faced by those below the poverty line persist, primarily concerning housing and scarcity of drinking water.

However, during this period, the Panchayat was able to provide relief to about 500 families through the EMS Housing Scheme and about 600 families through the LIFE Mission Housing Scheme.

The most significant problem in the Panchayat area was the acute drinking water shortage. Using various Panchayat funds, many people were provided with the construction and recharge of wells. The installation of pipelines through the Jalanidhi and Kalipara projects helped resolve the drinking water difficulties for numerous residents.

The renovation of threshing grounds (kalam) and canals has largely addressed the water shortage in the agricultural sector. Furthermore, fish farming in these renewed threshing grounds was also encouraged.