Pala, Kerala
Municipality in Kerala, India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pala (IPA: [paːlaː]) is a municipality[3] in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India.[4][5] It is located 28 km (17.4 mi) north of the district headquarters in Kottayam and about 167 km (103.8 mi) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. Pala also serves as the headquarters of Meenachil Taluk.[6] As per the 2011 Indian census, Pala has a population of 22,056, and a population density of 1,373/km2 (3,560/sq mi).
Pala | |
|---|---|
Pala town | |
  Pala Location within Kerala  Pala Location within India | |
| Coordinates: 9°42′47″N 76°41′00″E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Kerala |
| District | Kottayam |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Body | Pala Municipality |
| • Municipal Chairperson | Maya Rahul |
| • Member of the Legislative Assembly of Kerala (MLA) | Mani C. Kappan |
| Area | |
• Total | 16.06 km2 (6.20 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 31 m (102 ft) |
| Population (2011)[2] | |
• Total | 22,056 |
| • Density | 1,373/km2 (3,557/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Malayalam, English |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 686573, 686574, 686575 |
| Telephone code | +9148 22 |
| Vehicle registration | KL 35, KL 67 |
| Nearest city | Kottayam |
| Vidhan Sabha constituency | Pala |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Kottayam |
Pala is on the banks of the Meenachil River and is a major hub of Syrian Christian culture in Kerala.[7]
Demographics
As of 2001[update] Indian census,[8] Pala had a population of 22,640. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Pala has an average literacy rate of 98%, higher than the national average of 73%: male literacy is 98.5%, and female literacy is 97.8%, still much higher than the state average. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. Christians make up 65.09% of the population, Hindus 34.19%, Muslims 0.1%, other religions 0.05% and 0.15% not stated.
Politics
Pala is generally a stronghold of the United Democratic Front and the Kerala Congress (Mani). K.M. Mani represented the Pala constituency in the Kerala Legislative Assembly from 1965 to 2019, making him the longest-serving legislator in Kerala. After the death of K.M. Mani, the Left Front won the by-election held in September 2019 for the first time in history. This victory was achieved by Mani C. Kappan of the NCP.[9]
Pala is a municipality since its formal inauguration on December 1, 1949.[10] The current municipal chairperson of Pala municipality is LDF-backed Independent Maya Rahul.[11] She replaced UDF-backed Independent Diya Binu Pulikkakandam after an LDF-backed no-confidence motion was passed with support of 17 councillors.[12]
Pala falls under the Kottayam Lok Sabha constituency and Pala Assembly constituency. It is represented by Mani C Kappan in the Legislative Assembly and by K. Francis George in the Lok Sabha.
| Ward | Ward Name | Councilor Name | Party | Alliance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Paramalakunnu | Adv. Betty Shaju Thuruthel | KC(M) | LDF | |
| 002 | Mundupalam | Shaju Thuruthen | KC(M) | ||
| 003 | Market | Josin Bino | Left Independent | ||
| 004 | Kizhathadiyoor | Sonia Chitted | KC(M) | UDF | |
| 005 | Plathanam | Georgekutty Cheruvallil | KC(M) | LDF | |
| 006 | Kanattupara | Sebastian J. Panaikkal | INC | UDF | |
| 007 | Pulimalakunnu | Jiji Baiju Kollamparambil | KC(M) | LDF | |
| 008 | Kaveekunnu | Riya Chiramkuzhy | INC | UDF | |
| 009 | Kochidappadi | Siji Tony Thottathil | KEC | ||
| 010 | Moonnani | Biju Varikkani | KEC | ||
| 011 | Monastri | Ruby Anto Padinjarekere | KC(M) | LDF | |
| 012 | Chethimattom | Tony Thaiparambil | INC | UDF | |
| 013 | Murikkumpuzha | Biju Pulikkakandam | Independent | Others | |
| 014 | Parippil Kunnu | Adv. Binu Pulikkakandam | Independent | ||
| 015 | Palapurayidom | Diya Binu Pulikkakandam | Independent | ||
| 016 | Kannadiyurumbu | Tomin Vattamala | KC(M) | LDF | |
| 017 | 12th Mile | Sanil Raghavan | KC(M) | ||
| 018 | Mukkalikunnu | Lisikutty Mathew Kandathiparambil | INC | UDF | |
| 019 | Pala | Maya Rahul | Independent | Others (later joined LDF) | |
| 020 | Lalam | Biji Jojo Kudakachira | KC(M) | LDF | |
| 021 | Vellappadu | Leena Sunny Purayidom | KC(M) | ||
| 022 | Arunapuram | Rajitha Prakash | INC | UDF | |
| 023 | College Ward | Princy Sunny | DCK | ||
| 024 | Kottaramattom | Biju Mathews | INC | ||
| 025 | Nelliyani | Biju Palupadavil | KC(M) | LDF | |
| 026 | Puthenpallikunnu | Roy Francis | CPI(M) |
Sports
The Municipal Stadium is the centre of sports in Pala.[13]
The 61st Kerala State Schools Athletics Championships was held at the stadium in 2017.[14] At least 2500 students from 100 schools attended the sports meet.[15] The 63rd Kerala State Athletics Championship was also held at the stadium in the month of October, 2019.[16]
