Kerala CM urges local bodies to remain vigilant against ‘unscrupulous’ elements within

Kerala Chief Minister urges vigilance against corruption in local bodies, highlighting progress in waste management and poverty alleviation.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has urged local bodies to remain vigilant against “unscrupulous elements” despite their “generally commendable work.”

He was speaking after inaugurating the State-level local body adalat that got under way with the Ernakulam district-level adalat on Friday (August 16, 2024). “Getting rid of such elements at the bureaucratic level will guarantee the progress of the State,” he said.

“Local bodies in Kerala are a model for the rest of the country,” he said.

Mr. Vijayan highlighted their significant progress in waste management and poverty alleviation, noting that around 40,000 families have been lifted from extreme poverty thanks to their efforts.

“Kerala is the least corrupt State. But officials in some local bodies interacting with the public should introspect whether their conduct is helping to sustain and strengthen that reputation. Officials should realise that their duty is to serve the people and not to make their life tough,” he said.

“The government is trying to ease the life of the people. Making available 900 services online was part of that. K-Smart, a digital platform for local self-government services, has helped to improve speedy service delivery. But a section of officials used to benefit from the delay in service delivery. Their attempt to undermine K-Smart will not succeed. They better change their ways,” he said.

“Problems in applications submitted by the people for various services should be pointed out immediately and action should be taken promptly on applications in order,” he stated.