Chengalayi
Grama Panchayat

Health and Education Standing Committee

Chairperson : K.C. Ammukkutti

Members : Safoora K.
: K. Suneesh
: Narayanan N.

**Key Responsibilities of the Committee:**
The Health and Education Standing Committee is a vital standing committee within the Grama Panchayats of Kerala. This committee oversees crucial sectors such as public health, sanitation, primary education, sports, and culture.

Key details regarding this committee are provided below:

**1. Composition and Chairperson**
Chairperson: The Chairperson is a member democratically elected by the committee members from among themselves.
Members: The committee comprises a specified number of members elected from the other members of the Panchayat governing body.

**2. Key Responsibilities and Powers**
This committee is responsible for planning and implementing the following activities related to health and education within the Grama Panchayat's jurisdiction:

**a) Health Sector**
Supervision of Health Centers: Evaluating the functioning of Family Health Centers, Primary Health Centers, and Ayurveda/Homoeopathy hospitals under the Panchayat.
Prevention of Communicable Diseases: Organizing precautionary measures and awareness programs to prevent the spread of communicable diseases such as Dengue fever and Leptospirosis. Sanitation and Waste Management: Ensure public hygiene within the Panchayat; spearhead the operations of the Green Action Force (Haritha Karma Sena) and waste management initiatives.
Food Safety: Implement measures to inspect and ensure hygiene and quality standards in hotels and shops.
b) Education Sector
School Development: Improve the physical infrastructure (buildings, drinking water facilities, and restrooms) of government and aided primary and upper primary schools within the Panchayat.
Mid-day Meal Scheme: Ensure the efficient and hygienic distribution of mid-day meals in schools.
Educational Standards: Plan special schemes and scholarships to enhance the academic performance of children.
c) Other Sectors
Anganwadis: Monitor the distribution of nutritional food to children and pregnant women, as well as the basic infrastructure of Anganwadis.
Arts, Sports, and Culture: Promote the preservation of local playgrounds, organize sports competitions and cultural festivals, and support the functioning of public libraries.
3. Significance
This committee plays a pivotal role in determining the quality of life for the local population and fostering the growth of a healthy generation. It works continuously to bring government schemes directly to the people through decentralized planning at the grassroots level.