Vella Eacharan Iyyani (9 July 1918 – 11 February 1980) was an Indian politician from Palakkad, Kerala and a member of the Indian National Congress. He was elected to 1st Lok Sabha in 1952 from Ponnani Lok Sabha constituency and to 2nd Lok Sabha in 1957 from Palakkad Lok Sabha constituency . Eacharan was the Minister for Devaswom, Harijan welfare, Community Development, Colonization & Settlement (1971-1977). He was elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly from Thrithala in 1970 and Wandoor in 1977.[1][2]
Vella Eacharan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister for Irrigation, Devaswom, Harijan welfare, Community Development, Colonization & Settlement, Government of Kerala | |
| In office 4 September 1970 – 20 May 1977 | |
| Governor | |
| Chief Minister | C. Achutha Menon |
| Succeeded by | K. K. Balakrishnan |
| Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 1970–1977 | |
| Succeeded by | M. A. Kuttappan |
| Constituency | Thrithala |
| In office 1977–1980 | |
| Constituency | Wandoor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 9, 1918 Alathur |
| Died | 11 February 1980 (aged 61) |
| Spouse | Lakshmi |
| Children | Rajamma, Saralabai, Mrinalini |
| Alma mater | Board Middle School Alathur; Board School Koilandy; Co-operative Institute, Madras |
Personal life
editVella Eacharan was born at Alathur on July 9, 1918, as the son of Vella and Velai. In 1943, he married Lekshmi and they have three daughters.[3]
Political life
editAfter school education and co-operative training from Co-operative Institute, Madras, he was in Government service (Clerk in Civil Supplies) during 1943–1951. However, he left Government service and entered politics as an active worker of the INC. Actively involved in harijan upliftment and Bhoodan work, Eacharan later served as a member of the First Lok Sabha and Second Lok Sabha. At the age of 33, Eacharan was elected to the first Lok Sabha in 1952.
Eacharan was subsequently elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly from Trithala constituency in 1970 and from Wandoor constituency in 1977.
Eacharan was the Minister for Devaswoms, Harijan Welfare, Community Development, Colonization and Settlement from 25.9.1971 to 25.3.1977, in the Ministry headed by Shri. C. Achutha Menon.
The landmark initiative of Special Recruitment for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Kerala Government service was started by Vella Eacharan in 1972.
During his tenure as Devaswom minister (1971–77), Eacharan introduced bills like The Guruvayoor Devaswom Bill,1971 and The Koodalmanickam Devaswom Bill, 1971 and The Travancore–Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions (Amendment) Bill,1974. Another major bill introduced by Vella Eacharan was the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Bill, 1975. He was the Founder of Nayanar Memorial Harijan Hostel, Alathur. He had also held several high positions in different walks of life including serving as
- Member of the Select Committee,
The Representation of the people (amendment) bill, 1958
- Member of the Joint Committee,
The Dowry Prohibition Bill, 1959
- Member, Estimates Committee, Lok Sabha (1961–62)
- President of Depressed Class League, Malabar
- All India (CWC) Congress Working Committee member
- All India Congress Committee (AICC) member
- Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) member
- Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Vice-president
- AICC Advisory Committee Member - Cell to Look After the Problems of Scheduled Castes
- President of Palghat Harijan Sabha
- Organiser of Harijan Yuva Jana Vidyalayam
- Member of Indian Central Arecanut Committee as also its representative on the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and its Advisory Board
- Member of Area Committee, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, North Malabar
- Member of Malabar Harijan Sewak Sangh.[3]
Death
editVella Eacharan died on 11 February 1980 and the Kerala State Legislative Assembly paid its homage to him on 18 February 1980.[4]
References
edit- ^ "രാധാകൃഷ്ണന് മുന്ഗാമികളായി പിന്നാക്ക വിഭാഗത്തില്നിന്ന് 3 കോണ്ഗ്രസ് മന്ത്രിമാര്". Mathrubhumi.
- ^ "Pinarayi 2.0: Balagopal finance minister, Veena George replaces Shailaja, two big portfolios for Riyas". The New Indian Express.
- ^ a b "Kerala State - Everything about Kerala". www.stateofkerala.in.
- ^ "Members - Kerala Legislature". www.niyamasabha.org. Retrieved 20 May 2021.