History of Kootickal Grama Panchayat

Located on the banks of the Pullakayar River, on the western slopes of the Western Ghats, at the northeastern corner of Kottayam District and bordering Idukki District, our Grama Panchayat is a region of remarkable natural beauty.

When the Panchayat system was introduced in Kerala in 1953, the headquarters of Kootickal Grama Panchayat was situated at Narakampuzha, which is now part of Kokkayar Grama Panchayat in present-day Idukki District. Until 1969, Kootickal Grama Panchayat consisted of seven wards. The areas that now form the 11 wards within the present Panchayat limits—namely Kootickal, Enthayar, and Kodunga wards—were then part of Poonjar Thekkekara Grama Panchayat.

In 1969, the Kootickal, Enthayar, and Kodunga wards were separated from Poonjar Thekkekara Grama Panchayat and merged with Kootickal Grama Panchayat. At the same time, the Panchayat headquarters was shifted from Narakampuzha to the Pottamkulam Building, located in front of Vahini Theatre (present-day St. Mary's Orthodox Church).

With the formation of Idukki District in 1970, the wards of Kootickal Grama Panchayat became divided between the present-day districts of Idukki and Kottayam. Consequently, the Panchayat that had been functioning from Narakampuzha evolved into today's Kokkayar Grama Panchayat, while the Panchayat functioning from Kootickal continued as Kootickal Grama Panchayat. Later, Parathanam (present-day Wards 1 and 13), which had been part of Mundakayam Panchayat, was also merged with Kootickal Grama Panchayat.

Early Panchayat Representatives

In the 1953 Panchayat Election, the Kootickal Ward comprised Kootickal, Kavali, Vettikkanam, and Thenpuzha areas (present-day Wards 2, 3, 11, and 12). The first Panchayat member elected from this ward was Late Shri E.K. Nanu.

The Plappally Ward included Enthayar, Chathanplappally, Plappally, Olayanad, Kodunga, and Elamkadu areas (present-day portions of Ward 3 and Wards 4–10). The elected representative from this ward was Late Shri P. Narayanan of Paruthappara.

The Parathanam, Valliyetta, and Urulumotta regions (present-day Wards 1 and 13), which were later merged from Mundakayam Grama Panchayat, were represented by Shri P.T. Nanu.

Formation of the Present Panchayat

In the 1964 Panchayat Election, the areas now included in Kootickal Grama Panchayat were divided into three wards under Poonjar Thekkekara Panchayat: Kodunga, Enthayar, and Kootickal.

The elected members of these wards were:

• Late Shri P.I. Raman
• Shri R. Krishnappan
• Late Shri N.A. Abraham

It was through their dedicated efforts and struggles that Kootickal Panchayat was officially formed in 1969.

After its formation, in addition to the existing elected members, the following persons were nominated to the Panchayat Committee:

• Late Shri K.K. Abraham (Pottamkulam)
• Late Shri K.S. Ibrahim (Kallupurackal)
• Shri K.J. Thomas (Kollamparambil)

The first President of this Panchayat Committee was Shri K.K. Abraham (Pottamkulam).

Presidents and Electoral History

1980 Election

• Number of wards: 9
• President: Shri K.J. Thomas (Kollamparambil)

1988 Election

• Number of wards: 9
• President: Shri P.T. Thomas (Purappanthanam)

1995 Election

Following the introduction of the three-tier Panchayat system:

• Number of wards: 8
• President: Shri R. Krishnappan
• First Block Panchayat Member from the area: Shri Jose Idamana
• District Panchayat Member: Shri T.K. Rajan

2000 Election

• Number of wards: 10
• President: Shri P.K. Sunny

2005 Election

• Number of wards: 12
• President: Smt. Aisha Usman
• She became the first woman President of Kootickal Grama Panchayat after the position was reserved for women.

2010 Election

• Number of wards: 13
• President: Shri V.M. Joseph

2015 Election

• Number of wards: 13
• President: Smt. Bindu Ravindran

2020 Election

The Panchayat was headed during this period by:

• Shri P.S. Sajimon
• Smt. Sindhu A.S.
• Shri Bijoy Jose

2025 Election

With the creation of the new Vettikkanam Ward, the Panchayat expanded to 14 wards.

The current President is Smt. Ansamma Abraham (Ancy Augustine).