Kudumbashree elections between Dec 20-Jan 20

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Elections to the Kudumbashree units in the state would be held between December 20 and January 20 and the new administrative bodies would assume charge on January 26, 2012.In a statement here, Kudumbashree Executive Director Sarada Muraleedharan said new neighbourhood groups (NHG) can apply for affiliations till October 25. Elections will be held to choose the office-bearers of NHGs, ADS (Area Development Societies) and CDS (Community Development Societies) under the Kudumbashree Mission that has over four million women members now.The NHGs should present the minutes of meetings on micro-financing projects and bank accounts for affiliation. Only one member from each family, defined as per the constitution of the Kudumbashree, will get membership in the units.The Kudumbashree evaluation committees at panchayat and municipality- levels will scrutinise the complaints, if any, about the formation of the NHGs.“If the complaints are not redressed at this level, they can approach the District Collector whose decision will be final in this regard,” she said in the statement.In the cases of pending affiliations or cases of non-renewals, the NHGs can approach the member-secretary authorised by the panchayats to issue affiliation certificates after verification.In view of holding fair elections, polling officials have been designated at the district level and returning officers and assistants were appointed for CDS and ADS units.“The training process for these polling officials have already been completed,” she said. The election at the NHGs will be held from December 20 to 31 while election at ward-levels of ADS will be completed from January 5 to 10.“The polling at the CDS units will be held from January 15 to 20 so that the new office-bearers can take charge on the Republic Day,” the statement said.