Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has passed on the financial burden of conducting the ‘Vikasana sadas’, its Public Relations programme in the run up to the upcoming local body elections, to the respective local bodies. The government is organising the ‘Vikasana sadas’ across the state, modelled on the ‘Nava Kerala sadas’ held before the Lok Sabha elections. According to a government directive, local bodies must meet the expenses of the ‘Vikasana sadas’ from their own funds.

Local bodies are to organise the ‘Vikasana sadas’ between September 20 and October 20 at the grama panchayat, municipality and corporation levels to raise awareness among people about the government’s achievements. Local body elections in Kerala are expected in November.

While grama panchayats may spend ₹2 lakh from their own funds to conduct the event, municipalities may spend ₹4 lakh and corporations ₹6 lakh. An order issued by the Special Secretary, Local Self-Government Department, states that the expenditure is to be met from the local bodies’ own or plan funds. Sponsorships may also be sought, the order added.

However, it is alleged that the government is forcing local bodies, many of which are struggling due to a shortage of their own funds to fund the ‘Vikasana sadas’, a programme with a political purpose. Meanwhile, the opposition UDF which boycotted the ‘Nava Kerala sadas’ is yet to decide whether to cooperate with the ‘Vikasana sadas’.

‘Will help the state’s development’
The government claims that the ‘Vikasana sadas’ is being organised to present ideas for development at the local level and to seek public opinion. “The programme will not incur high expenses like the ‘Nava Kerala sadas’. Everyone should be open-minded about holding the event,” said Finance Minister K N Balagopal. At the same time, the minister said he was unaware of the order directing local bodies to set aside their own funds to organise the event.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the state-wide ‘Vikasana sadas’ at 11 am on September 20.