V. Priyadarshini, the newly elected president of Thiruvananthapuram district panchayat, will prioritize projects targeting women and children and also expand the portable animal birth control (ABC) program to control stray dogs in the rural belts of the district. Speaking to The Hindu after taking charge, she said the administration’s immediate aim is to complete the project activities started by the previous governing body in this financial year.
The Left Democratic Front (LDF) secured a majority of 15 seats in the 28-member council in the recent local body elections. The United Democratic Front (UDF) performed better, winning in 13 divisions, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to open its account. Ms. Priyadarshini who won from Kallambalam division for LDF won the presidential election against UDF’s Agnes Rani while LDF’s BP Murali who won from Navaikulam division won the vice presidential election.
Since the district panchayat president is also the chairperson of the district planning committee, a constitutional body, she will also be involved in planning development and social activities across the district.
“The previous committee has started work on the preparation of a plan applicable to the entire district as directed by the government. It will be completed soon and its priority proposals will be implemented as joint integrated projects in collaboration with local bodies. Special attention will be given to the problems of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), differently-abled people, transgender community and children. The previous committee has implemented many model-oriented other projects in this area, which are based on this area focused on women. collective discussions,” she said.
The vision document will be prepared after discussions with people’s representatives and experts on the activities to be implemented in the district in the next five years, she said.
“It is the intention to undertake activities that are intended to instill a sense of democracy in children and to involve them in these planning activities. How to ensure public participation in the field of palliative care with the help of local government institutions will be decided through a discussion. Activities carried out for the purpose of preventing early school leaving and increasing success in education will be accelerated. In cooperation with the Department of Planned Tribal Development, an effective plan will be implemented to streamline the functioning of ST study halls,” she said.
She said studies conducted by the previous administration on the status of women in the rural sector, especially in terms of education and employment, would come in handy in planning projects for women. The Vanitha Junction project, which has provided a platform for creative expression for women across the district, will be expanded. Open gyms will be established in several places.
Published – 02 Jan 2026 20:13 IST
