Thiruvananthapuram: The number of Gram Panchayats, Municipalities, and Corporations in the state is likely to increase as the number of wards is expected to rise.

A committee constituted by the government has recommended splitting large Gram panchayats and raising the total number of such local bodies in the state by a rate of 10 per cent. With this, the overall number of gram panchayats will increase from 941 and could exceed 1000. There will be an increase in district panchayat wards. 

Furthermore, the committee is in favour of forming new municipalities and corporations. Municipalities in Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Palakkad are likely to be elevated as Corporations. As a result, the number of wards will increase in these municipalities. However, the committee is against the division of block panchayats.

The division will be based on the area/locality, population, and income of local bodies. There will be no division in Local Self-Government bodies (LSGs) struggling to generate revenue. The status quo will remain for approximately 68 grama panchayats and municipalities struggling to pay their employees. 

Earlier, a committee chaired by the Principal Director of Local Self-Government and Panchayat Director-Convener was tasked to provide recommendations regarding ward division before the 2025 Assembly elections. The committee is expected to submit its findings next week. 

Despite demographic, economic, and population changes, no new local bodies were created in Kerala after 2010. It is up to the government to decide whether to bring division to local governments.

If the government decides to go ahead with the division, a delimitation commission will be constituted under the supervision of the Election commissioner in Kerala. Though government supports ward division, no final decision has been made so far. 

Earlier, the Election Commission had advised the government to consider the division of existing wards. Before the last general election, the government also rolled out an amendment by increasing the number of wards. However, Covid-19 came as a major hurdle to bar the government from taking further action on the matter.