Steering Committee
The Steering Committee is the high-level administrative body in Local Self-Government Institutions (Grama Panchayat, Block Panchayat, and District Panchayat) in Kerala that oversees the overall functioning of the Panchayat, policy decisions, coordination of Standing Committees, and plan formulation.
Comprising the President and the Chairmen of all major Standing Committees, this body provides direction to the entire administrative affairs of the Panchayat.
1. Structure (Composition)
The structure of the Steering Committee is largely similar across the three tiers: Grama Panchayat, Block Panchayat, and District Panchayat:
| Role (Padavi) | Details (Viśadāṁśaṅṅaḷ) |
|---|---|
| Chairman | The Panchayat President (or Chairperson). The President/Chairperson acts as the head of the Steering Committee. |
| Vice Chairman | The Panchayat Vice President (or Vice Chairperson). They are usually also the Chairman of the Finance Standing Committee. |
| Members | The Chairmen of all other Standing Committees of the Panchayat. (Including Chairmen of Development, Welfare, Health & Education, Public Works, etc.). |
| Convenor/Secretary | The Panchayat Secretary. This official plays a crucial role in implementing the committee's decisions. |
2. Main Duties and Powers
The Steering Committee functions as a policy-making and coordination body. It handles the overall affairs of the Panchayat, beyond the routine matters of the individual Standing Committees:
A. Planning and Scheme Implementation
Scheme Planning: Finalising the Panchayat's annual schemes and consolidating the draft schemes prepared by the Standing Committees for presentation to the Council.
Implementation Oversight: Accurately reviewing the implementation of approved schemes, fund utilisation, and overall progress.
Coordination: Ensuring coordination among the activities of the various Standing Committees. Increasing efficiency by avoiding situations where multiple committees overlap on the same issue.
B. Administrative Oversight
General Administration: Making decisions on policy matters related to staff, and ensuring administrative efficiency.
Policy Decisions: Providing recommendations to the Council on general and policy-related matters that fall under the Panchayat's jurisdiction.
Emergency Matters: Taking quick decisions and granting approval for actions during emergency situations (e.g., natural disasters, epidemics).
C. Financial Matters (Coordination)
Financial Review: Conducting a summary review of the budget, annual accounts, and financial status prepared by the Finance Standing Committee.
Duty Assignment: Taking the final decision on which Standing Committee should handle a particular subject if there is any doubt or dispute regarding the assignment of duties.
In summary, the Steering Committee is the main centre for the Panchayat's executive functions and the 'brain' behind its policy formulation. It brings all the Standing Committees together to execute the objectives of the Panchayat Council.