THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an attempt to streamline the administration and functioning of local self-Government institutions (LSGIs), a reorientation and training programme has been drawn up for the newly-elected members, who took charge on October 6.

A performance review of the LSGIs in the wake of decentralisation of powers during the past decade has revealed that despite registering notable achievements in local development, the civic bodies still have a long way to go in emerging as effective local Governments to creatively carry out their constitutional and administrative responsibilities.

The review noted that majority of the elected representatives do not have a vision on decentralisation of powers, the rights and responsibilities of members, presidents, secretaries and standing committees, the primary goals of local governance, office administration and the responsibilities of the staff who come under their purview. Many members lack imagination for preparing projects for the entire panchayat and are concerned only with improving facilities in their wards.

Being unaware of the formalities, they are unable to conduct meetings.

They are also incapable of formulating projects and exploring the possibilities of working in a complementary manner. Such lapses often reflect in the functioning of the civic bodies and lead to corruption too.

The training programme drawn up jointly by the Kerala Institute for Local Administration (KILA) and Capacity Development for Decentralisation in Kerala (CapDeck), aims at rectifying such lapses and helping the new members for an effective administrative system. A one-day training would be imparted to the panchayat presidents to give them a clear idea about their duties for efficient and democratic governance.

They would also get an idea about the role and functioning of standing committees, how the members, irrespective of political affiliation, can be made part of the administrative system and also supervision of the staff and institutions that have been transferred to the LSGIs. Considering the fact that there are seasoned public men as well as novices among the elected members, the former would be given a chance to share their experiences and clarify the doubts of the latter.

This would be followed by an induction training for grama, block and district panchayat members and municipal and corporation councillors.

Besides educating them on their fundamental responsibilities, they would be given orientation to run the administrative mechanism effectively.

A special programme has been planned for district and block panchayat presidents, municipal chairmen and Mayors.

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