a study about my Panchayath

1. KAMAKSHI GRAMA
PANCHAYAT
Submitted By
MATHEW DEVSIA

2. INTRODUCING THE PANCHAYAT
Kamakshi panchayat is the one of the
most beautiful panchayat in idukki district. It is located in
the centre part of Idukki district. The total area of the
panchayat is about 7898 Acres. The means of livelihood of
the people in the panchayat is agriculture. The main
agriculture products of the panchayat are Pepper,
Cardamom, Coffee, Coco, Coconut, and some vegetables.
The Kallyanathandu is the highest areas in the panchayat.
The place is about 3645 feet above sea level. One could
enjoy the panoramic beauty of the Idukki Reservoir from
Kallyanathandu. The Kamakshi area which was the sixth
ward of Kattappana panchayat of Kottayam district was
formed in to an independent gram panchayath on 9th June
1968 by the government order G.O.M.S.No.365-4b.D.D.

5. THE HISTORY of THE PANCHAYAT
The history of this panchayat starts with the mass
migration of the landless farmers of Thodupuzha, Muvattupuzha Taluks of
Ernakulam District and Meenachil and Changanasery Taluks of Kottayam
District in search of livelihood in the late 1950s.
The present Kamakshi panchayat consists of places like
Kamakshi, Pandipara, Neelivayal, Prakash, Karickummedu, Karickumtholam
and Nellippara, the names which the migrants got from tribals such as
Mannans who were found here.
There were no roads or any type of infrastructure for travel
except the path of wild elephants and the mud roads constructed for
transportation of precious ivory and valuable wood in bullock carts by the
men of Angoor Ravoothar. A few trenches made by the same men to protect
themselves from the wild animals, could be seen here and there.
People, who encroached and re-encroached the land, had
bitter struggles with each other for the ownership of the land that created
an atmosphere of tension in the beginning. The farmers

6. who travelled on foot through the thick forest carrying infants and there few
belongings via Ayyappankovil and Udumbanoor near Vazhathoppu had to
rely on huts made on the top of the trees to protect themselves of wild
animals. They cleared the thick foliage of reeds, bamboos and tall grass to
cultivate paddy and cassava for the first time as food was the first necessity
for survival. Since they were not able to engage paid labourers for the
agricultural works they resorted to exchange-labour, a practice which
fostered the community feelings among the people. They were a group of
farmers who protected their cultivation from the wild animals by staying
awake all night making bonfire and bursting crackers.
Almost at this time there was an attempt to forcefully
evacuate the fresh migrants from these lands. The farmers of every cast and
creed joined together to resist this challenge. When the struggle against
forceful evacuation strengthened the opposition leader in the Indian
parliament Mr A.K.Gopalan brought in a notification based on which the
government appointed a committee with Mr Mathew Maniyangadan as the
chairman to visit the areas of migration and submit its report. Since there

7. was no road facility for the committee to visit these areas, the
hardworking farmers worked day and night to construct a road
from Idukki to Uppukandam, a road could only be used by Jeep.
By the time the committee submitted its
report the demand to get the land registered strengthened and
the government started the procedure for the registration of
land. Though the government started the land registration
procedure only a few farmers could benefit from this
opportunity. Majority of the areas of the panchayat still remains
unregistered, though owned by farmers. So the struggle still
continues. Finally this area was formed in to an independent
grama panchayat on 9th June 1968 by the government order
G.O.M.S.No.365-4b.D.D.

8. Major Problems of the Panchayat
 The computerisation of the government offices in the Panchayat is
still incomplete.
 Insufficient area and facilities of the Govt. Office buildings.
 Lack of proper communication because of which people do not get
information about the various Government services and schemes
in time.
 Environmental degradation due to the excessive use of chemical
fertilisers and pesticides.
 Scarcity of drinking water.
 Lack of better transport facilities.
 Crisis in agriculture due to negligence and use of unscientific
methods.

9. Major institutions and its services in the
Panchayat
No Name of
institution
Number of
institutions
1. Kamakshi Govt. P.H.C 1
1. Govt. vet nary hospital 1
1. Village office 1
1. Agricultural office 1
1. Health sub canter 4
1. Branch Post office 6
1. Sub post office 1
1. Telephone Exchange 1
1. High schools 3

10. L.P schools 6
Village extension
office
2
Agricultural
demonstration office
1
Govt. Homeo
dispensary
1
Govt. Ayurveda
mobile dispensary
2
K.S.E.B Sub engineer
office
1
Excise range office 1
Police aid post 1
I.C.D.S Anganvadi 30
Padanaveedu 2
Community Hall 12
Reading Room 10
Club 16
Education Extension 1