Annual Plan 2026-27
Annual Plan of Edavanna Grama Panchayat 2026–27
Let us examine how development projects can be planned and implemented in the various sectors of the Panchayat.
1. Agriculture and Allied Sectors
All the wards of the Panchayat have an agricultural component. Paddy, vegetables and banana are the major crops. Around 40% of the population depends primarily on agriculture for their livelihood. Located along the banks of the Chaliyar River, the Panchayat is suitable for cultivating a variety of agricultural crops.
Under the leadership of the Krishi Bhavan, various forms of support and encouragement have been provided for paddy cultivation. Promotion of paddy cultivation, supply of organic and chemical fertilizers, improved varieties of seeds, vegetable promotion programmes, and renovation of canals and ponds are some of the programmes that have been implemented for more than a decade.
The Panchayat has been spending approximately ₹1.5 crore every year on the productive sector. However, the impact of this expenditure is not sufficiently visible in the sector. To revive agriculture, small-scale irrigation projects need to be undertaken and farming needs to be modernized through the use of new agricultural technologies.
Programmes should also be planned and implemented to encourage women's self-help groups to participate in small-scale productive activities such as vegetable production, marketing and promotion of organic farming. This can help strengthen the neighbourhood groups (Ayalkoottams).
Through the Kudumbashree programme, significant progress has been made in poverty eradication. Under the Samagra Samriddhi project being implemented in the agricultural sector, micro-enterprises with 50% subsidy, along with small employment enterprises being implemented with the support of banks, are playing an important role in the poverty eradication mission.
Moreover, the collective activities of Kudumbashree Ayalkoottams, ADSs and CDSs have contributed to strengthening the cultural identity of the Panchayat and promoting women's empowerment.
2. Animal Husbandry
As part of animal husbandry initiatives, programmes such as distribution of goats, distribution of poultry birds, supply of mineral mixtures, distribution of buffalo calves, promotion of cattle rearing, and provision of cattle feed for milch cows are being effectively implemented.
3. Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development
A large proportion of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe population lives below the poverty line. Most of them depend primarily on agriculture for their livelihood.
Greater emphasis has been placed on providing individual benefits for the advancement of these communities. Financial assistance has been provided through programmes such as distribution of buffalo calves, house renovation, making houses habitable, and construction of toilets.
During the 2021–22 financial year, the Panchayat adopted Kongampara Colony under Phase III of the LIFE Housing Scheme and is working towards comprehensive development of the colony.
The difficulty in obtaining caste certificates has been a barrier to these communities accessing various benefits.
Under the Ambedkar Scheme, development projects worth ₹1 crore will be implemented in the Cholara settlement. Various development projects amounting to ₹1 crore are also being implemented for the development of the Cholara Scheduled Tribe settlement under the Ambedkar Settlement Development Programme.
4. Women’s Development
In recent years, efforts have been made to give greater emphasis to women's empowerment programmes by mandatorily allocating 10% of the plan allocation for this purpose.
Programmes such as women's labour contract groups, assistance for enterprises, and self-employment assistance for women have been included under the Women's Component Plan.
These programmes are primarily aimed at women belonging to economically and socially disadvantaged sections of society.
Women's Vigilance Committees need to be strengthened to address issues of violence and harassment against women. The Kudumbashree system also needs to be strengthened further to improve the economic status of women.
5. Health
Disease-prevention activities are being effectively carried out through Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Ayurvedic institutions and Homoeopathic hospitals.
Programmes such as the National Health Programme, Pariraksha, and the purchase of medicines for hospitals have been implemented to provide support to people suffering from serious illnesses and to the elderly.
The Pariraksha programme, which is being implemented to provide relief and support to people affected by serious diseases and to senior citizens, has been highly beneficial to the public.
6. Drinking Water and Sanitation
The Panchayat has made significant progress in the areas of total sanitation and drinking-water supply.
Various programmes have been implemented, including toilet construction and collection of non-biodegradable waste for transfer to authorized treatment and processing facilities.
Effective programmes for preventive activities are also being conducted every year.
The Panchayat has been able to bring about significant changes in the areas of drinking water and sanitation. The Panchayat, along with its eight associated institutions, has been declared a Sanitation Panchayat. This is a notable and commendable achievement in the sanitation sector.
8. Education and Culture
Edavanna is a Panchayat with numerous educational and cultural institutions and is highly advanced in terms of literacy.
A substantial amount is allocated every year for supplementary nutrition programmes. In addition, midday meals are provided in schools from the primary level onwards.
A significant amount is also being spent this year for the advancement of education. During the 2025–26 financial year, an amount of ₹5,00,000 was allocated and spent as the SSA contribution and as part of the plan allocation.
9. Poverty Eradication
Under the PMAY and LIFE Housing Schemes, more than 54 houses had been constructed and provided to beneficiaries in Edavanna Grama Panchayat during the 2025–26 financial year up to the time of reporting.
House construction and house renovation programmes are being implemented every year.
Under the LIFE Housing Scheme, partial financial assistance remains to be provided to 385 beneficiaries. Beneficiaries for house construction and renovation programmes are selected through the Gram Sabhas.
This year, ₹96 lakh has been earmarked for house renovation under the 14th Five-Year Plan, with the expectation of realizing the dream of housing for all.
An amount of ₹50 lakh has also been set aside for the purchase of land under the landless LIFE scheme.
10. Accounts, Record Keeping and Improving Public Service Delivery
Edavanna Grama Panchayat has been able to undertake various welfare and general development activities using financial assistance received from the government and with the cooperation of the public.
The Panchayat has also undertaken activities aimed at providing better and more efficient public services.
The system currently functioning in the Panchayat office enables the delivery of improved services to the public.
11. Infrastructure
The major activities undertaken and completed in the infrastructure sector include road renovation and construction of new roads.
Over the past Five-Year Plans, the Panchayat has been able to spend several crores of rupees on road development, utilizing plan funds, maintenance grants, MLA/MP funds and the Panchayat's own funds.
The street-light installation programme is also being implemented effectively.
In order to conserve electricity, the Panchayat has been able to convert almost 100% of its street lights to LED lights.
In the coming years, the Panchayat also intends to implement a street-line extension programme to expand electricity and street-lighting infrastructure.
12. Social Welfare
Edavanna Grama Panchayat is implementing numerous programmes aimed at the welfare of the people.
Various initiatives are being undertaken for the welfare of persons with physical and intellectual disabilities and senior citizens.
Although a BUDS School has been started in the Panchayat, it is currently functioning in a rented building.
Steps are also being taken to implement additional programmes aimed at the welfare of senior citizens.
13. Small-Scale Industries
Through Kudumbashree Ayalkoottams and self-help groups in Edavanna Grama Panchayat, various small-scale enterprises are being operated, including:
- Pickle production
- Catering
- Chocolate production
- Tailoring units
- Coconut oil production
- Paper bag manufacturing
There are four mill units operated by women in the Panchayat.
It is also worth mentioning that the Janakeeya Hotel (People's Hotel) under the Panchayat is functioning successfully through Kudumbashree.
There is a need to construct a new building for Kudumbashree. Plans also need to be formulated to improve the facilities and infrastructure of the Janakeeya Hotel.
