Here are 30 important and potentially confusing facts about Municipalities in India, which can help in your UPSC CSE preparation:
- Municipalities are local government bodies that administer urban areas in India. They are created under the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 and are responsible for urban governance and development.
- The 74th Amendment of 1992 inserted Articles 243P to 243ZG into the Constitution to provide a framework for the establishment, powers, and functions of Municipalities in urban areas.
- Municipalities are defined as local bodies responsible for urban areas with a population of more than 20,000. They are tasked with local administration, urban planning, and the management of urban infrastructure.
- Municipalities exist in three forms based on the size and population of the urban area:
- Nagar Panchayats (for transitional areas)
- Municipalities (for smaller urban areas)
- Municipal Corporations (for large cities)
- Nagar Panchayats are established for areas that are transitioning from rural to urban status, typically with smaller populations and evolving urban needs.
- Municipalities are formed for urban areas with a population between 25,000 and 1 million. They are responsible for managing urban services like water supply, sanitation, and public health.
- Municipal Corporations are for larger cities with populations above 1 million. They have more extensive powers and functions to manage urban infrastructure, health, and governance.
- Article 243Q of the Constitution mandates the creation of Municipalities in every urban area, ensuring that urban residents have local representation and governance.
- Municipalities are required to function as institutions of self-government, as stipulated in Article 243W, which empowers them to perform functions related to urban development, planning, and welfare.
- Municipalities have a prescribed structure that typically includes an elected body (Municipal Council or Corporation), an Executive Officer, and various departments for service delivery.
- The Municipal Council or Corporation consists of elected representatives (councilors) who represent different wards or constituencies in the urban area. These representatives are directly elected by the people.
- Elections to Municipalities must be conducted directly by the people through adult franchise, ensuring democratic participation. These elections are generally held every five years.
- The Mayor is the head of a Municipal Corporation, while the Chairperson is the head of a Municipal Council. Both are usually elected from among the councilors.
- The Municipalities are responsible for a wide range of functions, including urban planning, land-use regulation, water supply, sanitation, street lighting, public health, and fire services.
- Article 243W provides that Municipalities shall be entrusted with functions and powers related to urban governance. These functions include urban infrastructure, economic development, and welfare schemes.
- Powers of Municipalities include taxation (e.g., property taxes, water charges, and trade taxes), making development plans, managing urban services, and implementing welfare programs.
- Municipalities must manage basic urban services like water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, public health, education, street lighting, and transportation.
- The 74th Amendment also empowers Municipalities to prepare development plans and manage infrastructure projects like roads, parks, and recreational areas in urban settings.
- Urban Poverty Alleviation is an important function of Municipalities, with responsibility for the implementation of schemes related to housing for the poor, slum development, and employment generation.
- Municipalities are also responsible for preserving public amenities and environmental management, including green spaces, lakes, and forests in urban areas.
- Article 243P defines a Municipal area as any area that is declared by the State Government as such under Section 3 of the Municipalities Act, and includes a town or city with a population of 20,000 or more.
- The State Legislature enacts laws to regulate the functioning of Municipalities, including the structure of the elected body, eligibility for election, and allocation of resources.
- State Election Commissions conduct elections to Municipalities, ensuring that the process is transparent and free from political influence, thereby upholding democratic principles at the local level.
- Women’s representation in Municipalities is mandated under the 73rd and 74th Amendments, ensuring reservation for women in urban local bodies, particularly for the posts of chairperson, mayor, and councilors.
- The Finance Commission recommends the distribution of funds between the Union, States, and local bodies. This helps ensure that Municipalities receive adequate financial resources to carry out their functions.
- Municipalities have the authority to create taxes for raising revenue, such as property taxes, water taxes, and advertisement taxes, to fund local projects and services.
- Article 243X provides for the devolution of financial powers to Municipalities, enabling them to collect taxes, receive grants from the Union and State Governments, and manage their finances.
- State Governments are required to devolution powers to Municipalities, as outlined in the 74th Amendment, ensuring that they can perform their functions independently and effectively.
- Municipalities also work closely with other agencies and organizations, such as the urban development authorities and public sector undertakings, to implement large-scale urban development projects.
- Despite the constitutional framework, the effective functioning of Municipalities often faces challenges such as financial constraints, political interference, and poor administrative capacity, which hinder their ability to deliver efficient services.
These facts underscore the role and importance of Municipalities in India’s urban governance. The 74th Amendment brought significant changes to the structure of local governance in urban areas, promoting decentralization and ensuring more democratic participation in urban administration. Understanding the functioning of Municipalities is crucial for your preparation for the UPSC CSE exam, especially in the context of governance and constitutional provisions.