The Kerala state budget has announced the decision to form two more taluks in Kasargod district namely Manjeshwara and Vellarikundu.
The budget had announced formation of 12 new taluks.
While the Manjeswara taluk is carved out of Kasaragod taluk, Vellarikundu taluk becomes a reality after bifurcating the Hosdurg taluk.
The Manjeswara taluk will have Manjeswara, Vorkady, Meencha, Paivalike, Mangalpady, Kumble, Puthige, and Enmakaje panchayats coming under its jurisdiction. The Vellarikundu taluk comes into being by including the East Eleri, West Eleri, Kinanoor, Karindalam, Kodom-Belur, Kallar, Panathady, and Balal panchayats.
Though Kasargod district came into existence way back in 1984, the demand for Manjeshwara taluk has been heard since 1972. The government had constituted Babu Paul committee in 1987 for the formation of taluk. However, the committee’s report was neglected. When Left party came to power, once again the demand for the formation of the taluk was raised. Though Manjeshwar former MLA C H Kunhambu had tried his level best, owing to financial crisis, the demand could not be fulfilled. Though E K Nayanar government had decided to form taluk, it was A K Antony government which had rejected the proposal in the past, said C H Kunhambu.
The idea of forming Vellarikundu taluk was mooted in 1984 by none other than K M Mani during his visit here as Finance Minister to inaugurate a sub-treasury at Vellarikundu.
MLA P B Abdul Razak said: “I had been demanding the formation of Manjeshwara taluk since I was elected to the power.”
The new taluks will reduce congestion at the taluk headquarters at Kanhangad and Kasaragod. Several political parties and other organisations hailed the United Democratic Front (UDF) government decision to set up the new taluks.
With the formation of taluks, now the people have started discussing on taluk headquarters. A few are demanding Manjeshwar as taluk headquarters.
Other new 10 taluks in Kerala are Thamarassery, Iritti, Kondotti, Pattambi, Chalakkudi, Idukki, Pathanampuram, Konni, Varkala, and Kattakkada.