role of urban civic bodies in indian society
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local-government-in-
Urban local bodies,also termed ULBs, are small local bodies that rule the
town or the city with a medium population. The state government assigns
many tasks to the urban local bodies to meet the public needs. There are
several types of urban local bodies, including municipal corporations,
municipalities, notified area committees, urban area committees, special
purpose agencies, townships, port trusts, cantonment boards, etc.
Urban Local Bodies - Historical Background
The first municipal corporation in India was set up at Madras in 1687,
and in 1726 the municipal corporations were set up in Bombay and
Calcutta.
In 1870, Lord Mayo’s resolution for financial decentralisation paved the
way for local self-government.
The famous resolution by Lord Ripon, which is also called the Magna Carta
of Local Self Government, was issued by Lord Ripon’s Government on 18th
May, 1882.
By the Government of India Act 1919, the local self-government was
transferred to ministers responsible to new provincial legislatures.
The Municipal Act of 1919 and District Municipalities Act of 1920 in
Madras, gave powers to the Councils to elect their own chairmen and frame
their own budgets.
Another Act passed in 1925 made the city municipalities, with a
population exceeding one lakh wholly elective.
Government of India Act, 1935 introduced provincial autonomy and local
self-government was declared as a provincial subject.
The National Government appointed a committee in 1948 known as the Local
Finance Inquiry Committee, to report on ways and means for improving the
financial resources of local bodies.
In 1985, the National Commission on Urbanization was appointed by the
Central government which gave its report in 1988. Commission was set up
to study and give suggestions on all aspects of urban management.
The Constitution (74th Amendment) Act, 1992 is a landmark step of the
Government of India to strengthen local self-government in cities and
towns.
Purpose for Urban Local Bodies
ULB’s set up to provide urban services efficiently, effectively and
equitably.
Urban Local governments also plan for economic and social development.
They regulate the use of land and the construction of buildings.
They regulate the supply of water for domestic, industrial and commercial
purposes.
They maintain public health, sanitation conservation and solid waste
management.
They administer various laws and regulations.
They implement central government plans at the grassroots level.
They are doing the job of reducing poverty.
Provisions of Urban Local Bodies under 74th Constitutional Amendment Act
Article 243Q mentions about the Constitution of Municipalities i.e. Nagar
Panchayat, Municipal Council and Municipal Corporation.
Article 243R mentions the Composition of Municipalities, it states that
all of its members are directly elected by the people of the Municipal
area which is divided into territorial constituencies known as wards..
Article 243 S mentions about constitution and composition of ward
committees consisting of wards and member of wards who represent that
ward in Municipality
Article 243 T deals with the reservation of the seats in every
Municipalities.
Article 243W deals with the powers, authorities and responsibilities of
municipalities that includes urban planning, financial and social
development, and so on.
Article 243X states that the constitution has left it open to the
Legislature of a State to specify by law matters relating to imposition
of taxes.
Article 243 ZE says that there will be a Metropolitan Planning Committee
in every Metropolitan region to set up a draft improvement plan for the
Metropolitan region overall.
Challenges of Urban Local Bodies
Delegation of powers: Most state governments have not delegated power to
urban local authorities, so ULBs have not been able to effectively carry
out their functions.
Ineffective leadership: Mayors and councilors use their positions for
their political careers rather than being agents of change for desired
urban reforms.
Creation of parastatal agencies: Parastatal agencies such as urban
development authorities and state-owned enterprises are accountable only
to state governments and not to local governments.
Lack of funds: The first and most serious problem facing urban local
communities is lack of funding. Municipal committees in many small towns
also have difficulty paying salaries to their employees on time.
Corruption: the administrative mechanisms available to these local
authorities are insufficient Often underpaid staff engage in corrupt
practices which have resulted in loss of income.
Limited capacity: Even though municipal bodies receive funds, they do not
just not have the ability to function effectively. Most of the funds paid
to ULBs are restricted funds.
Urban Local Bodies Reforms
Urban local government reforms and urban service reforms are underway
with the aim of strengthening the financing of urban local governments in
states. These reforms would enable ULBs to provide better public health
and sanitation services to their citizens.
Goa has joined five other States namely, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,
Manipur, Rajasthan and Telangana, who have completed ULB reforms.
The four citizen-centric areas identified for reforms are:
Implementation of One Nation One Ration Card System
Ease of doing business reform
Urban Local body/ utility reforms
Power Sector reforms.
The set of reforms stipulated by the Department of Expenditure to achieve
these objectives are:
The State will notify floor rates of property tax in ULBs which are in
consonance with the prevailing circle rates (i.e. guideline rates for
property transactions) and;
The state will notify floor rates of user charges in respect of the
provision of water-supply, drainage and sewerage which reflect current
costs/past inflation.
The State will put in place a system of periodic increase in floor rates
of property tax/ user charges in line with price increases.