A technical committee constituted by the State government has recommended new systems for overseeing quality, design and environmental aspects as part of several measures to strengthen the Engineering wing of the Local Self Government Department.The committee headed by K.Sundar, retired Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, was constituted with an aim to bring more efficiency into the functioning of the LSGD Engineering wing and turn it into a modern cadre.
One of the suggestions is to constitute a State-level office mechanism for the sections handling the quality, design and environmental aspects of the works. At the district level, an office headed by a superintendent engineer is suggested. Another key suggestion is to equip the Engineering wing to handle major projects or special projects of grama panchayats, outside the plan fund, as well as the overseeing of electrical and mechanical works.
The Engineering wing is also proposed to be turned into a system which is capable of handling the design of projects which require special design-related inputs as well as overseeing waste management-related projects.
The LSGD’s Engineering wing was set up in 2008 by bringing together technically qualified staff from the PWD, engineering staffs of panchayats, municipalities and corporations, Water Works Department and the Kerala State Rural Roads Development Agency. The requirement of such a cadre was seen considering the need for local governments to cope with the functional responsibilities transferred to them under Kerala Panchayati Raj Act 1994 and Kerala Municipality Act 1994. Published - July 15, 2026 08:06 pm IST
