Kottayam's Puthuppally readies itself for memorial to Oommen Chandy

Former Kerala Chief Minister late Oommen Chandy had endeared himself to millions as an astute and benevolent politician holding sway over people cutting across party lines. Now, two years after his death, the village panchayat in Puthupally, his birthplace, has decided to name the planned mini civil station building after the Congress leader.

The decision to build the memorial coincides with the second death anniversary of Oommen Chandy who breathed his last on July 18, 2023. During his term as MLA, in 2017, funds were allocated for the construction of a mini civil station building on a 75-cent plot of panchayat land near the Puthuppally junction.

₹1 crore was allocated from the MLA's development fund. The foundation work, including pillars, of the three-story building, was completed then. The panchayat has now decided to construct the second phase. The plan and estimate for the construction have been prepared and submitted to the Public Works Department for administrative approval, according to panchayat officials.

The current panchayat office is 50 years old and dilapidated. Other government institutions in Puthuppally, including the Sub Registrar office and Village office, are currently operating from rented buildings. Officials say that once the mini civil station is completed, all government offices can be shifted to this single building.

Last year, the community hall renovated by the panchayat was named, EMS Memorial. There was widespread criticism after that, alleging Oommen Chandy was being forgotten. However, during the community hall inauguration, Minister M B Rajesh announced that the mini civil station would be completed and made a memorial to former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. The state government and the panchayat are jointly investing ₹1.25 crore to complete the building construction.