Local Self Government Department (Kerala)

Local Self Government Department
Government of Kerala
Agency overview
JurisdictionKerala, India
HeadquartersGovernment Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram
Minister responsible
  • M. B. Rajesh, Minister for Local Self Government, Excise, Parliamentery Affairs
Agency executives
Parent departmentGovernment of Kerala
Child agencies
Websitelsgd.kerala.gov.in

The Local Self Government Department (LSGD) is one of the administrative departments under the Government of Kerala. It is responsible for decentralised governance, civic administration, and the functioning of local governments in Kerala, including Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and the three-tier Panchayat system.[2]

LSGD leads major urban development programs, waste management initiatives, decentralised planning, and the implementation of poverty alleviation and community development missions, including Kudumbashree and Suchitwa Mission. It plays a critical role in the delivery of civic services such as water supply (in select ULBs), street lighting, sanitation, building permits, and e-governance services.

Ministerial Team

The department is headed by a Cabinet Minister of the Government of Kerala. The incumbent Minister is M. B. Rajesh.[3]

Administratively, the department is headed by the Principal Secretary to Government (LSGD), supported by Special Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, Joint Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries and Under Secretaries along with officers and staff posted in the Secretariat.[4]

Senior Officials

  • Tinku Biswal IAS – Principal Secretary (Local Self Government)
  • T.V. Anupama IAS - Special Secretary to Government
  • Adeela Abdulla IAS - Special Secretary to Government
  • Geromic George IAS – Principal Director, LSGD
  • Smt. Apurva Tripathi IAS – Director (Rural)
  • Suraj Shaji IAS – Director (Urban)

Functions

  • Administration and oversight of Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and Panchayats.[2]
  • Urban governance, sanitation, and waste management through local bodies.[5]
  • Implementation of decentralised planning through Panchayat Raj and Municipality Acts.
  • Implementation of poverty alleviation and community development programmes through Kudumbashree.[6]
  • Granting building permits, trade licences and delivery of local services.
  • Implementation of e-governance through Information Kerala Mission (IKM).

Subordinate Institutions

Directorates / Line Departments

  • Principal Directorate LSGD
    • Directorate of Panchayats[7]
    • Directorate of Urban Affairs[8]
    • Commissionarate of Rural Development (Rural Development Department)
    • LSGD Engineering Wing
    • Department of Town and Country Planning

Aligned Institutions / Missions / Autonomous Bodies

The following missions, corporations and bodies function under the department:[9]

  • Kudumbashree
  • Information Kerala Mission (IKM)
  • Suchitwa Mission
  • LIFE Mission
  • Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA)
  • MGNREGS Mission
  • Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP)
  • Smart Cities Mission
  • AMRUT Mission
  • IMPACT Kerala
  • Clean Kerala Company Limited (CKCL)
  • KURDFC
  • Capital Region Development Program (CRDP)

Statutory Institutions

See also

References

  1. ^ a b https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2025/May/07/major-ias-rejig-11-bureaucrats-assigned-new-roles
  2. ^ a b "Local Self Government Department – Government of Kerala". lsg.kerala.gov.in. Archived from the original on 2024-06-01. Retrieved 2025-11-09.
  3. ^ "Council of Ministers – Kerala Legislative Assembly". Retrieved 2025-11-09.
  4. ^ "Rules of Business – Government of Kerala" (PDF). Retrieved 2025-11-09.
  5. ^ "Suchitwa Mission – Government of Kerala". Retrieved 2025-11-09.
  6. ^ "Kudumbashree – State Poverty Eradication Mission". Retrieved 2025-11-09.
  7. ^ "Directorate of Panchayats". Retrieved 2025-11-09.
  8. ^ "Directorate of Urban Affairs". Retrieved 2025-11-09.
  9. ^ "Aligned Institutions – Local Self Government Department". Retrieved 2025-11-09.