Administrative History
The present-day Eramala Grama Panchayat was, before 1963, divided into three Panchayats: Karthikappally Panchayat, Kunnummakkara Panchayat and Eramala Panchayat. The then Kunnummakkara Panchayat also included the present-day Onchiyam Village.
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In 1963, as part of the Panchayat reorganisation, Kunnummakkara, Karthikappally and Eramala Panchayats, excluding Onchiyam Village, were merged to form the present Eramala Grama Panchayat.
Ponnambath Gopalakurup served as President of Karthikappally Panchayat. In Eramala Panchayat, Krishnamveettil K.V. Krishnan Adiyodi, Malappangatt Shankarakurup and K.T. Govindan Nambiar served as Presidents. Chekkootti Vaidyar served as President of Kunnummakkara Panchayat.
During the tenure of K.V. Krishnan Adiyodi as President, the famous Orkkatteri Cattle Market was established. In 1938, it received recognition as the 36th cattle market in India. The official recognition of the market was achieved through the efforts of people's representatives, including Idathil Kunjithangal.
The market was traditionally conducted in connection with the Orkkatteri Shiva-Bhagavathi Temple festival, which symbolised religious harmony. Even today, this cattle market attracts thousands of people and remains a source of pride for Eramala Panchayat.
In the early years, the President and members of the Panchayat were generally elected unanimously. However, the 1952 Panchayat Election witnessed a highly competitive contest. At a time when ballot papers and secret voting were not in practice, voting was conducted by raising hands at a public meeting.
The victory of K.T. Govindan Nambiar in that election became a significant milestone in the democratic history of Eramala.
After the Panchayat reorganisation, Shri. K. Kunjiramakurup, a prominent freedom fighter, Gandhian and socialist, was elected as the first President of Eramala Panchayat. M. Ibrahim Haji served as the Vice President.
Subsequently, M. Ibrahim Haji, Kuniyil Balan and V.K. Kunjikrishna Nambiar served as Presidents during different periods.
Development initiatives such as Orkkatteri High School, Mahatma Libraries, the Primary Health Centre, major roads, public wells and the introduction of electricity to the Panchayat laid the foundation for the development of the region.
In addition, the construction of Kaliyamvelli Bridge and Thonithalakkal Bridge significantly improved connectivity between different areas and strengthened social and economic relations.
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👥 Former Presidents
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- K. Kunjiramakurup
- Mavullathil Ibrahim Haji
- Kuniyil Balan
- V.K. Kunjikrishna Nambiar
- M.K. Bhaskaran
- Kottarathil Lakshmi
- N. Venu
- M.K. Bhaskaran
- Baby Balamburath
- M.K. Bhaskaran
- Shakeela Eingoli
- Minika T.P.
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