ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNANCE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: EVIDENCE FROM KERALA EXPERIENCE

In local governance around the world are in crisis with COVID -19 on local health care and economy. The process widens the social-economic issues and inequalities. The local self-governments are in the front line to serve the people, they have taken several initiatives to prevent the spread and helping patients who were tested as positive. In Kerala as per the census 2011, there are “1200 Local Self Governments (LSG) in Kerala which include 941 Grama Panchayaths, 152 Block Panchayaths, 14 District Panchayath, 87 Municipalities, and 6 Municipal Corporations.” The lack of resource availability with increased needs creating a burden of efficient distribution through proper planning but the COVID -19 process destroyed the whole process. At the local level, the government institution efficiently managing the Quarantine centres, Community Kitchen for COVID-19 infected persons, and persons in isolation. The initiatives for Kerala Sannadhasena consist of more than 2.5 lakh peoples, the members of the Army are ready to volunteer at any time of any disaster in the state. One hundred people are trained as a volunteer. The members of the army are 16-65 years old. Their education or physical fitness does not preclude them from joining the army. The state and central government need to give more care to Local Self Governments in the process of fighting against COVID-19.