At a glance
Ithikkara Block Panchayat holds a prominent position among the local self-government institutions in Kollam district. Working with priority given to rural development, social welfare, infrastructure development, and public participation, Ithikkara Block Panchayat boasts a development legacy spanning over six decades.
The history of Ithikkara Block began on April 1, 1961. It was formed as a development block incorporating the Grama Panchayats of Poothakkulam, Adichanalloor, Paravoor, Nedumpana, and Chathannoor. The formation of blocks took place as part of the National Extension Service (NES) project, which was implemented in post-independence India aiming for rural development.
In the initial phase, the Block Office served as a center for implementing coordinated development activities in sectors such as agriculture, cooperation, industry, animal husbandry, and rural development. The first block office functioned in a rented building at the Chathannoor–Paravoor Junction. Mr. M. Krishna Pillai was the first Block Development Officer (BDO).
As part of administrative reforms and decentralization of power, the Ithikkara Block Panchayat was reorganized into its present form on October 2, 1995, under the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act. Subsequently, in 2005, Chirakkara Grama Panchayat was formed out of Chathannoor Panchayat. Following the 2010 delimitation, after Nedumpana Panchayat became part of Mukathala Block Panchayat, the Ithikkara Block Panchayat currently covers five Grama Panchayats: Adichanalloor, Chathannoor, Chirakkara, Kalluvathukkal, and Poothakkulam.
In cooperation with Grama Panchayats, public representatives, various government departments, voluntary organizations, and the general public, the Block Panchayat has been implementing remarkable activities in areas such as agricultural development, women's empowerment, Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe welfare, healthcare, educational development, environmental protection, and livelihood development.
Having achieved exemplary accomplishments in local self-governance through the successful execution of the People's Planning Campaign, Ithikkara Block Panchayat is moving forward upholding the values of sustainable development, social justice, and public participation.
Operating with the vision of "Public Welfare and Comprehensive Development," Ithikkara Block Panchayat continues its journey with development activities that ensure better living conditions for future generations.
