Municipalities of Kerala
Encyclopedia
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
is following that pattern since 1994. Consequent to this amendment, several changes have occurred in the functions, powers, and responsibilities of the municipalities and the states had to make necessary amendments to the legislation on the local governments in the respective states. Kerala Municipalities Act 1994, enacted as per the constitutional amendment, governs the pattern, functions and services of the municipalities in Kerala. The Kerala Municipalities Act of 1994, an integrated act for the municipalities and corporations in the state, laid out the constitution of the town panchayats, municipalities and municipal morporations. The state of Kerala has 60 municipalities and 5 municipal corporations.
The present form of urban local government owes its genesis to the British rule. Lord Ripon’s Resolution of 18 May 1882 on local self-government dealt with the constitution of local bodies, their functions, finances, and powers and laid the foundation of local self-government in modern India. Since then, the structure of municipal bodies has essentially remained the same, even though the urban areas multiplied. The 74th amendment to the Constitution of India
Constitution of India
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. It lays down the framework defining fundamental political principles, establishes the structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens...
resulted in increased roles for the municipalities in every state in India, where they have been perceived to be great contributors to the social and economic development of the country, as they are the level of government that is closest to the citizens.
Structure
The Kerala Municipality Act 1884 envisage creation of three kinds of urban local governments- Town panchayats for transitional areas.
- Municipalities for less urbanised areas and
- Municipal corporations for more urbanised areas.
Kerala has not created any town panchayats so far.
Functions
The functions of the Municipalities are enlisted as schedule appended to Kerala Municipality Act.The functions can be divided into civic functions and development functions in areas of agriculture, industry, health, education etc.
the year of Kerala Municipality Act is 1994 and not 1884
Functionaries
Chairperson is the executive authority of the municipalities. Elected councillors and officers are the other functionaries. Two types of officers now exist - officers belonging to the municipality as full time officers and officers transferred to the municipality from the state government.Municipal finance
The resources of the urban local bodies are- Tax and Rates
- Fees and Fines
- Non Tax revue
- Grand and Contribution
The taxes among them are:-
- Property tax
- Profession tax
- Entertainment tax
- Additional Entertainment tax
- Advertisement tax
- Show tax
- Timber tax
- Duty on transfer of properties (Surcharge duty)
Types of Taxes
- Property tax
This is the main stay of municipal revenue. It is levied under section 233 of the Kerala Municipality Act. 1994 on all building and appurtenant lands within the municipal limits except those exempted by or under the said Act or any other law. The property tax may comprise a tax for general purpose and a service tax viz., Water tax, drainage tax, lighting tax and Sanitary tax in Corporations and in Municipalities the tax may comprises a tax for General Purpose, lighting tax and sanitary tax and water tax. The rate of tax part from 10 to 25 % of the annual value of a building in the case of municipalities and 15% to 25 % in Corporations. The annual rental value of a building will be re-fixed once in 5 years and it is payable half yearly. The council is the authority to fix the rate of tax to be levied by each municipality.
For online payment of property tax using credit/debit card or internet banking use http://tax.lsgkerala.gov.in
- Profession tax
As per section 245 of the Kerala Municipality Act 1994 the****are at***** to levy and collect profession tax from every person or company who transacts business exercised a professional; trade or calling or holds any appointment not less than 60 days in the aggregate in any half year and in respect of a specified amount of half yearly income
- Advertisement tax
This item of tax is levied from persons who erect, exhibit fix or retain upon or over any land, building, wall structure any advertisement or who display any advertisement in public view at any place private of public./ The urban local bodies are at liberty levy the tax not less than and not more than the rate specified by the Government
- Duty on transfer of property
This is levied under section 270 of the Kerala Municipality Act 1994 and the Kerala Municipalities (Duty on transfer of property) Rules 1962. It is levied in the form of a surcharge on the duty imposed by the Kerala Stamp Act. 1959, on every instrument relating to immovable property situated within the municipal limit at such rate as may be fixed by Government not exceeding 5%. The amount is being collected by the Registration Department and later on apportioned to and distributed to the urban local bodies quarterly by the Inspector General of Registration after deducting a collection charge as permitted by the rules referred to above.
- Entertainment tax
As per Local Authorities Entertainment Tax Act and Rules the Local Authorities can levy entertainment tax at a rate not less than 15 % and not more than 30% on each price for admission to any entertainment. The tax is collected along with the price for admission itself. The major portion of the tax is collected from Cinema Theatres.
- Additional entertainment tax
As per section 2 (2) of the Kerala Additional Tax on entertainment and surcharge on show tax Act 1963 an additional tax on entertainment is collected at the rate of 60% of the entertainment tax Collection under this items is shown in annexure.
Municipalities in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram District- NeyyattinkaraNeyyattinkaraNeyyattinkara is municipality in Thiruvananthapuram district in the Indian state of Kerala. The name Neyyattinkara in Malayalam literally means the shore of Neyyar River. Neyyar River flows from Agasthyarkoodam , the highest peak in southern end of the Western Ghats. The taluk has a total...
- NedumangadNedumangadNedumangad is a municipality in Thiruvananthapuram district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located around 20 km to the north-east of Thiruvananthapuram city on the Thiruvananthapuram — Thenmala State Highway...
- VarkalaVarkalaVarkala is a coastal town and municipality in Thiruvananthapuram district situated in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located 50 kilometres north-west of Thiruvananthapuram and 37 km south-west of Kollam city.Varkala is the only place in southern Kerala where cliffs are found adjacent to...
- AttingalAttingalAttingal is a town and a municipality in the Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala state, India, bounded by the Mamom and Vamanapuram rivers. It is situated 30 km to the north of state capital of Thiruvananthapuram.-Demographics:...
Kollam District
- Karunagapally
- Paravoor (South)Paravoor (South)Paravoor is a village in Kollam district in the state of Kerala, India.-Demographics: India census, Paravoor had a population of 5087 with 2375 males and 2712 females.-References:...
- PunalurPunalurPunalur is a city situvated near the Tamil Nadu Kerala Border in Kollam district in the southern state of Kerala, India. It is the pioneer in starting industrial revolution in Kerala by establishing Punalur Paper Mills, the first industry in kerala. It is situated in the banks of the river Kallada...
Alappuzha District
- AlappuzhaAlappuzhaAlappuzha , also known as Alleppey, is a town in Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. As per 2001 census Alleppey is the sixth largest city in Kerala with an urban population of 177,029. Alleppey is situated to the south of Kochi and north of Trivandrum...
- ChengannurChengannurChengannur , is a municipal town in Alappuzha district of the state of Kerala in South India. Chengannur is located in the extreme eastern part of Alappuzha district. It is north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram on the MC Road. Chengannur is connected to Kollam and Kottayam by NH 220...
- CherthalaCherthalaCherthala is a town located in the district of Alappuzha, in the state of Kerala, India. It is located 30 km south of the city of Kochi and 22 km north of Alappuzha town, on the Kochi-Alappuzha streatch of both the National Highway 47 as well as the costal Rail-route.lt is 85 km from the...
- KayamkulamKayamkulamKayamkulam is a town and a municipality in Alappuzha district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an ancient maritime trading centre. One of the largest power plants in Kerala, run by the NTPC, is located in Kayamkulam. Krishnapuram Palace is located nearby and an old cashew factory.Kayamkulam is...
- MavelikkaraMavelikkaraMavelikara is a town in Alappuzha district of Kerala, India, spread over an area of 12.65 km2. It is in the southern part of Alappuzha district on the banks of the Achankovil River. Mavelikara is located 8km east of National Highway. Mavelikara is known as the capital of...
Pathanamthitta District
- AdoorAdoorAdoor is a town and a municipality near Pandalam in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala state, India, spread over an area of 20.42 km2. The town is located midway between Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam. It is among one of the three municipalities in Pathanamthitta district.-Etymology:It is...
- PathanamthittaPathanamthittaPathanamthitta is a large town and a municipality situated in the central Travancore region in the state of Kerala, south India, spread over an area of 23.50 km2. It is the administrative capital of Pathanamthitta district. The city has a population of 38,000...
- Thiruvalla
Idukki District
- ThodupuzhaThodupuzhaThodupuzha is a town and a municipality in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 35.43 km2. It is 62 km from Ernakulam. Geographical Classification of Thodupuzha Region is Midland or Idanad....
Kottayam District
- KottayamKottayamKottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
- Palai
- VaikomVaikomVaikom is a taluk and also its capital town, situated in the North-West of Kottayam in Kerala, India. Its western border is the Lake Vembanad, and is crossed by various estuaries of the River Muvattupuzha. It lies between Ernakulam and Kottayam...
- Changanacherry
Eranakulam District
- AluvaAluvaAluva , is a suburb of the city of Kochi, situated north of the city center and a municipality in Ernakulam district, Kerala, India. Aluva is also a major industrial center of the state....
- AngamalyAngamalyAngamaly is a satellite town of the city of Kochi, situated north of the city center and a municipality in Ernakulam district, Kerala, India. It is one of the entry points or gateways to Ernakulam district from northern Kerala...
- KalamasseryKalamasseryKalamassery is a suburban region of the city of Kochi and a Municipality in the District of Ernakulam of Kerala state, India. It is a concentrated region of industrialization with several factories manufacturing chemicals and fertilizers, as well as IT companies...
- Kothamangalam
- MuvattupuzhaMuvattupuzhaMuvattupuzha is a municipality in Ernakulam district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is a junction of three districts namely Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki. The town is bordered by Kottayam district on southern side and Idukki district on eastern side approximately 20 km from the town...
- North Paravoor
- MaraduMaraduMaradu is a region in the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. In local governance, it is a municipality, and in the state governance structure it is part of the Ernakulam district.- Demographics :...
- PerumbavoorPerumbavoorPerumbavoor is a suburban region of Kochi city and a municipality in Ernakulam District in the Indian state of Kerala. It lies in the North Eastern tip of the Greater Cochin area and is also the headquarters of Kunnathunad Taluk. It is a Main Satellite Centres of Kochi City. Perumbavoor is famed...
- ThrikkakaraThrikkakaraThrikkakkara is a suburb of the city of Kochi, as well as a municipality in Ernakulam District in the Indian state of state of Kerala. It is especially notable for its significance in the festival of Onam, and in the tale associated with it. Thrikkakkara is home for the esteemed centre of...
- Thripunithura
- EloorEloorEloor is a suburb of Kochi and a municipality in Ernakulam District in the Indian state of Kerala, India. It is an industrial area north of Cochin. It is an island of 14.21 km² formed between two distributaries of river Periyar and is the largest industrial belt in Kerala...
Thrissur District
- Chalakkudy
- ChavakkadChavakkadChavakkad is a municipality in Thrissur District of Kerala state in India. Chavakkad is noted for its beach and fishing. It lies on National Highway 17 is located about north of the city of Kochi, the commercial capital of Kerala and west of Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala.-History:The...
- Guruvayoor
- IrinjalakudaIrinjalakudaIrinjalakuda is a municipal town situated in the Thrissur district of Kerala, India. It is famous for the sprawling Koodalmanikyam Temple that has Bharata as the main deity and the St Thomas Cathedral in the heart of the City...
- KodungallurKodungallurKodungallur is a municipality in Thrissur District, in the state of Kerala, India on the Malabar Coast. Kodungallur is located about 29 km northwest of Kochi city and 38 km Southwest of Thrissur, on National Highway 17 . Muziris the ancient seaport at the mouth of the Periyar River was...
- KunnamkulamKunnamkulamKunnamkulam is a municipal town situated in the Thrissur District of Kerala in India, spread over an area of 6.96 km2. It is an old commercial town, with a history of more than 300 years, famous for its printing and book binding industry...
Palakkad District
- Ottappalam
- PalakkadPalakkadPalakkad , formerly known as Palghat, is a municipality and a town in the state of Kerala in southern India, spread over an area of 26.60 km2.The city is situated about north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram. It is the administrative headquarters of Palakkad District...
- Shornur
- ChitturChitturChittur is a small town in Palakkad district of Kerala, South India.-Politics:Chittur assembly constituency is part of Alathur .It contains 16 panchayats.-Demographics:...
- Tattamangalam
Malappuaram District
- MalappuramMalappuramMalappuram is a municipality in the South Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 33.61 km2. It serves as the administrative headquarters of Malappuram district. As per the 2011 census Malappuram urban agglomeration is the fourth largest UA in kerala with a total population of...
- ManjeriManjeriManjeri is a town and municipality in Malappuram District in the state of Kerala, India. It is the commercial capital of Malappuram District and is 28 km from an international airport and 50 km from Kozhikode railway station....
- KottakkalKottakkalKottakkal is a town and a municipality in Malappuram District in Kerala, south India. It has 32 Wards. The National Highway 17 separates the municipality from Edarikkode Panchayath on some part in the west. It is an Eranadan town located 12 km south-west of Malappuram, the district...
- NilamburNilamburNilambur is a municipality and a taluk in the Malappuram district of Kerala, South India. It is famous for its forests, especially its wildlife habitats, rivers, waterfalls and teak plantations. It is situated close to the Nilgiris range of the Western Ghats on the banks of the Chaliyar River...
- Perinthalmanna
- PonnaniPonnaniPonnani/Ponani is an ancient port, a coastal town and a municipality in Malappuram district in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 9.32 km2. Ponnani taluk is the smallest Taluk in Malappuram district. This tiny, picturesque town is bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west...
- TirurTirurTirur is a town and a municipality in Malappuram district in the Indian state of Kerala spread over an area of 16.55 km2 . It is birth place of Thunchathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, the father of Malayalam literature. Thunchan Parambu is highly venerated and its sand is believed to be sacred. The...
Kozhikkod District
- KoyilandyKoyilandyKoyilandy is a city and a municipality in Kozhikode district in North Malabar region of the Indian state of Kerala. This town is between Calicut and Badagara and is on NH 17. It can be identified with Tyndis in Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. The freedom fighter K...
- Vadakara
Wayanad District
- KalpettaKalpettaKalpetta is a city and a municipality in Wayanad district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is a small town surrounded by dense coffee plantations and mountains, is the headquarters of Wayanad district...
Kannur District
- KannurKannurKannur , also known as Cannanore, is a city in Kannur district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters of the District of Kannur and 518km north of state capital Trivandrum. During British rule in India, Kannur was known by its old name Cannanore, which is still in...
- Koothuparamba
- Mattannur
- Payyannur
- ThalasseryThalasseryThalassery , also known as Tellicherry, is a city on the Malabar Coast of Kerala, India. This is the second largest city of North Malabar in terms of population. The name Tellicherry is the anglicized form of Thalassery. Thalassery municipality has a population just less than 100,000. Established...
- Thaliparamba
Kasaragod District
- Kasaragod
- KanhangadKanhangadKanhangad is a town and a municipality in Kasaragod district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is 28 km from the district headquarters of Kasaragod. Bekal Fort is a 300-year old fort, one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala and lies 10 km north of Kanhangad. The fort is...
- Nileshwaram
External links
- Website of Municipalities in Kerala
- Population of Municipalities in Kerala
- Website on Decentralisation and Local Governance in Kerala
- Website of Local Self Government Department in Kerala
See also
- Corporations, Municipalities and Taluks of KeralaCorporations, Municipalities and Taluks of KeralaKerala's 14 revenue districts are further divided into 5 Municipal Corporations, 60 Municipalities, 63 taluks, 1453 revenue villages and 978 Grama panchayats...
- Local Governance in KeralaLocal Governance in KeralaKerala, is a tiny state in the southernmost part of India. In decentralization, the State had a long history of half-hearted reforms characterized by partial successes and blatant reversals from its creation in 1957...
- Municipal Governance in IndiaMunicipal Governance in IndiaMunicipal governance in India has been in existence since the year 1687 with the formation of Madras Municipal Corporation and then Calcutta and Bombay Municipal Corporation in 1726. In early part of the nineteenth century almost all towns in India had experienced some form of municipal governance...
- Non-Municipal Census Towns in KeralaNon-Municipal Census Towns in KeralaList of Non-Municipal Census Towns in Kerala#Parassala#Kilimanoor#Kottarakkara#Ranni#Pandalam#Kanjirappally#Erattupetta#Kattappana#Munnar#Pattambi#Mannarkkad#Nilambur#Mananthavadi#Panoor#Manjeshwaram...