Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)

Introduction and Historical Evolution

• Ancient Era:
  • Cities were governed by local councils managing trade, sanitation, and civic life.
  • These proto-ULBs ensured community-driven urban management.
• Colonial Period:
  • First Municipal Corporation: Madras, 1688.
  • British introduced elected local bodies but retained central control.
  • Emphasis on sanitation, taxation, and regulation—limited public participation.
• Post-Independence:
  • Continuation of local governance under state laws.
  • Urban governance became a constitutional mandate through the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.
  • Recognized ULBs as the third tier of governance in urban India.
    

Present Structure of ULBs in India

ULBs are categorized based on population and urban classification:

1. Municipal Corporations (Nagar Nigam):
   • For cities with a population >1 million.
   • Headed by a Mayor; executive functions by a Municipal Commissioner (IAS officer).
   • Example: Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai.
2. Municipal Councils (Nagar Palika):
   • For cities with population between 1 lakh and 1 million.
   • Headed by a President and a Vice-President.
3. Nagar Panchayats:
   • For transitional areas (rural to urban shift).
   • Headed by a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson.
4. Special-Purpose Urban Bodies:
   • Include Cantonment Boards, Port Trusts, Development Authorities, and Industrial Townships.
   • Serve specific administrative or functional goals.
     

Constitutional and Legal Framework

• 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (1992):
  • Added Part IXA (Articles 243P–243ZG) and 12th Schedule.
  • Defines structure, powers, and responsibilities of ULBs.
• Key Articles:
  • 243P: Definitions.
  • 243Q: Types of ULBs.
  • 243R–243S: Composition, reservations.
  • 243T: Duration and dissolution.
  • 243U–243V: Powers and responsibilities.
  • 243W: Functional domain (12th Schedule – 18 functions).
  • 243X–243Y: Finance, audit, planning.
  • 243Z–ZG: Miscellaneous, bar on judicial intervention in elections.
• State Municipal Acts:
  • Each state legislates its own law on ULBs.
  • Examples: Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, Karnataka Municipalities Act.
• Other Relevant Laws:
  • Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act, 1978 – enables rapid transit systems in metros.
    

Functions of Urban Local Bodies (As per 12th Schedule)

• Urban planning (including land use and town planning).
• Regulation of land/building construction.
• Water supply and sanitation.
• Solid waste management.
• Urban forestry and environment protection.
• Slum improvement and upgradation.
• Urban poverty alleviation.
• Roads and public transport.
• Fire services and street lighting.
  

Challenges Faced by ULBs

1. Financial Constraints:
   • Dependence on state transfers and central schemes.
   • Low Own Source Revenue (OSR): weak property tax collection, poor revenue base.
2. Lack of Autonomy:
   • Over-centralization by state governments.
   • Parastatal bodies often override ULBs (e.g., development authorities).
3. Human Resource Gaps:
   • Shortage of trained personnel (engineers, planners, administrators).
4. Inadequate Infrastructure:
   • Poor public utilities, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
   • Gaps in water supply, sewage, transport, and housing.
5. Political Interference:
   • Undermines meritocracy and professionalism in administration.
6. Low Citizen Engagement:
   • Minimal public consultation or participation in planning and monitoring.
7. Lack of Capacity:
   • Weak institutional frameworks for project planning, execution, and monitoring.
     

Strengthening Urban Governance: Suggested Reforms

• Decentralization of Powers:
  • States must transfer 3Fs—Functions, Funds, and Functionaries.
• Financial Empowerment:
  • Strengthen OSR through efficient property tax, user charges, and municipal bonds.
  • Timely release of grants recommended by State and Central Finance Commissions.
• Capacity Building:
  • Regular training of municipal staff on planning, finance, e-governance, and disaster resilience.
• Transparency & Accountability:
  • Promote e-governance, public dashboards, and social audits.
• Institutional Reforms:
  • Clarify jurisdictions between ULBs and state-level bodies.
  • Empower municipal bodies in metro cities for infrastructure coordination.
• Public Participation:
  • Organize Ward Committees, Area Sabhas, town hall meetings.
  • Encourage participatory budgeting and grievance redressal platforms.
• Technology Adoption:
  • GIS-based urban planning, smart infrastructure monitoring, and data-driven governance.

Best Practices / Successful Models

• Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation:
  • Public–Private Partnership for Bus Rapid Transit (Ahmedabad Janmarg Ltd).
• Pune Municipal Corporation:
  • Effective solid waste management with door-to-door collection and segregation facilities.
• Surat Municipal Corporation:
  • Technology-enabled governance, public dashboards, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and emergency response center.
    

Conclusion

Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are crucial to democratic decentralization and quality urban life. Despite being constitutionally empowered, they face structural, fiscal, and administrative hurdles. Strengthening them through functional devolution, financial autonomy, and participatory planning is essential for sustainable and inclusive urban development.