📜 What is Civic Duty?

As participants in the system of governance, citizens possess rights. It must be ensured that these rights are received accurately and consistently. Actions contrary to this should be prevented, and responsible enforcement of civic rights must be carried out.

Citizens have a duty to fulfill certain obligations and responsibilities toward society and the nation. In short, these are called civic duties. Voluntarily abiding by these is the fundamental duty of a good citizen.

• Show respect and obedience to the Constitution and the core values of the nation, refrain from disrespect or violation, and cherish the ideals of the national freedom struggle.
• Safeguard and maintain public property, and refrain from damaging it.
• Preserve historical and cultural heritage.
• Protect and improve natural resources, forests, wildlife, and the ecological balance.
• Protect and uplift the status and dignity of women, and resist anti-women practices.
• Resist superstitions and harmful social practices, develop a scientific temper, humanism, and a spirit of inquiry, and strive toward personal and collective excellence.
• Uphold the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of the nation, foster communal harmony and universal brotherhood, and be ready to render national service when called upon.

🏛️ Public Participation & Planning

• Participate in Grama Sabhas, take a direct role in local governance processes, and thereby make participative democracy meaningful.
• Actively involve oneself in planning, implementation, and evaluation processes.
• Help make the social audit process effective and meaningful.
• Maintain vigilance according to law against corruption and maladministration, ensuring conditions for democratic local governance.
• Cooperate in the accurate collection, compilation, and consolidation of statistical data; refrain from providing false information and oppose such actions.

💰 Finance & Development Cooperation

• Prevent tax evasion and pay taxes promptly to ensure the local self-government's own source of revenue; avoid manipulation or excuses in tax payments.
• Assist the Panchayat in development activities by contributing personal, physical, and financial resources as well as voluntary labor.
• Surrender land required for public development needs and refrain from encroaching on public land.
• Promote and practice frugality, avoid extravagance, and ensure the organization of and participation in self-help initiatives.
• Foster habits of cooperation and savings.
• Organize neighborhood groups (Ayalkkoottams) and self-help / mutual-help groups.

🌱 Environment, Public Health & Nuisance Abatement

• Refrain from causing public nuisances, disruption to public life, or dumping waste in public places, and remain vigilant against such actions.
• Cooperate with the Panchayat in implementing sanitation, disease prevention, nutritional support, literacy, legal awareness, and dispute resolution activities.
• Cooperate in maintaining natural resources and public transport systems while preventing their misuse and exploitation.
• Participate in environmental awareness campaigns and ensure ecological balance.
• Assist in protecting and supporting victims of natural disasters.
• Avoid anti-social behaviors such as spitting, open defecation/urination, drinking alcohol, or smoking in public spaces and roads.
• Refrain from slaughtering animals publicly in open areas, and ensure meat or meat waste is not displayed or sold in a repulsive manner.
• Ensure timely vaccinations and proper licensing for pets, domestic animals, and birds.

⚖️ Social Justice & Legal Compliance

• Oppose fundamentalism and divisiveness, and engage in activities that foster social harmony and participatory development.
• Unite against social evils such as alcoholism, substance abuse, dowry, violence against women, child labor, and discrimination against underprivileged sections.
• Comply with laws and regulations; do not violate them or abet/encourage their violation.
• Uphold gender equality and justice, actively participating in initiatives that promote them.