Kottarakara Municipality

Kottarakara Municipality is an urban local government body located in Kollam district, Kerala, India. It was originally constituted as a panchayat in 1950 under the Travancore-Cochin Panchayat Act, and was upgraded to a municipality on 14 January 2015. The municipality is part of the Kottarakara taluk and block, and serves as the administrative center of the taluk. It is bordered by Mylam panchayat to the north, Neduvathoor panchayat to the west, Ummannoor and Veliyam panchayats to the south, and Melila and Vettikkavala panchayats to the east. The municipality provides a range of civic services and certificates to citizens through the K-Smart platform, including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, building certificates, civil registration, building permissions, property tax collection, trade licenses, and welfare pensions. It also handles complaints and maintains meeting minutes. The administrative structure includes a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Secretary. As of the official website, the Chairperson is Anitha Gopakumar, the Vice Chairperson is A. Shaju, and the Secretary is Manikantan R. Kottarakara is an area with a mix of rural and urban characteristics. The region has a history dating back to the Venad royal family, with the Ilayidathu Swaroopam branch having its headquarters in Kottarakara. The name Kottarakara is associated with the Maha Ganapathi temple and the traditional assembly of local chieftains. The economy includes agriculture (paddy, coconut, rubber, tapioca, banana, and vegetables) and industries such as engineering, food processing, furniture, matchbox manufacturing, curry powder, pickles, plastics, bakery, bricks, umbrellas, readymade garments, and freezer manufacturing. Kerala Agro Industries also operates a public sector unit in the area. The municipality is governed by the Kerala Municipality Act of 1994 and the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, which decentralized urban governance in India. The official website is developed and maintained by the Information Kerala Mission. The municipality uses the K-Smart app for service delivery.

Kottarakara Municipality has its origins in the panchayat system established in 1950 under the Travancore-Cochin Panchayat Act. It was one of 548 panchayats formed in the Travancore-Cochin state. The area has historical significance as the headquarters of the Ilayidathu Swaroopam branch of the Venad royal family, which ruled from Kottarakara. The name Kottarakara is linked to the Maha Ganapathi temple and the traditional assembly of local chieftains (karakkars) who met in a 12-pillared kottaram (palace) mandapam near the temple. In 1736, the Thampuran of Ilayidathu Swaroopam died, leading to succession disputes. Marthanda Varma, the ruler of Travancore, contested the succession. The Rani fled to Tekkumkur and allied with the Dutch. In 1741, Van Imhoff installed the Rani as the next ruler of Ilayidathu Swaroopam, provoking Marthanda Varma. He attacked the combined forces of the Dutch and the Rani, defeating them. Ilayidathu Swaroopam became part of Venad, and the Dutch lost all control in Travancore. The Rani fled to Kochi under Dutch protection. On 14 January 2015, Kottarakara panchayat was upgraded to a municipality. The municipality now operates under the Kerala Municipality Act of 1994 and the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, which constitutionalized urban local governments in India. The official website is developed and maintained by the Information Kerala Mission.

• 2015

  Kottarakara Panchayat upgraded to Municipality on 14 January.

• 1994

  Kerala Municipality Act enacted, governing municipalities in Kerala.

• 1992

  74th Constitutional Amendment Act constitutionalized urban local governments in India.

• 1950

  Kottarakara Panchayat formed under the Travancore-Cochin Panchayat Act.

Local self-government body providing essential civic services and certificates to the residents of Kottarakara.

• Birth Certificate

  Issued to citizens for birth registration.

• Death Certificate

  Issued to citizens for death registration.

• Marriage Certificate

  Issued to citizens for marriage registration.

• Building Certificate

  Issued for building permissions and certifications.

• Property Tax

  Collection of property tax from residents.

• Trade License

  Issued for commercial trade activities.

• Welfare Pension

  Distribution of welfare pensions to eligible citizens.

1. 1Kottarakara Municipality Official Websitekottarakaramunicipality.lsgkerala.gov.in
2. 2About - Kottarakara Municipalitykottarakaramunicipality.lsgkerala.gov.in
3. 3Wikidata - Kottarakara Municipalitywikidata.org
4. 4Malayalam Wikipedia - കൊട്ടാരക്കര നഗരസഭml.wikipedia.org