Local Self-Government Urban Local Institutions Chapter Notes | Civics Class 9 ICSE PDF Download

Imagine a bustling city where every street is clean, water flows uninterrupted, and schools hum with activity. Who ensures all this happens smoothly? The answer lies in the fascinating world of urban local self-government! This chapter takes you through the structure and functions of urban local bodies like Municipal Corporations and Committees, which work tirelessly to make city life efficient and comfortable. From electing representatives to managing city finances, you’ll discover how these institutions empower citizens and keep urban areas thriving.

Urban Local Self-Government

• Cities are managed by Municipal Councils or Municipal Corporations, while villages are governed by Panchayats.
• The 74^th Amendment Act of 1992 strengthened urban local bodies by giving them legal and constitutional status.
• Key features of the 74^thAmendment Act:
  • Urban local bodies received legal and constitutional recognition.
  • A fixed tenure of five years was set for elected members.
  • One-third of seats are reserved for women, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes.
• Municipal Corporations manage cities with a population over 20 lakh.
• Municipal Councils oversee smaller urban areas.
• Nagar Panchayats are established for transitional areas (population 5,000–10,000) shifting from rural to urban.
• Example: Mumbai, with a population exceeding 20 lakh, is governed by a Municipal Corporation (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation), while a smaller town like Alibaug is managed by a Municipal Council.

The Municipal Corporation

• Municipal Corporations have departments like water supply, sewage, and education, managed with the help of committees.

Elections

• Cities are divided into wards, and each ward elects a representative called a ward councillor.
• The number of councillors depends on the city’s population.
• Elections occur every five years.

Composition

General Council:

• Consists of elected councillors with reserved seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women.
• An alderman, an eminent city personality, may be nominated by the Governor.

Mayor:
Elected by councillors for a one-year term, with the possibility of re-election.
Functions of the Mayor:

• Presides over Corporation meetings.
• Represents the city at events and welcomes foreign guests.
• Sets the meeting agenda.
• Obtains project reports from the Municipal Commissioner.
• Acts as a link between the Corporation and the state government.

Municipal Commissioner

Appointed by the Governor for a five-year term.
Functions of the Municipal Commissioner:

• Serves as the Chief Executive of the Corporation.
• Prepares the Corporation’s budget.
• Maintains and protects municipal properties and records.
• Implements projects and programmes set by the General Council.
• Attends meetings and records minutes.

Standing Committees

• Councillors are elected to standing committees handling areas like health, taxation, welfare, and finance.

Functions of the Municipal Corporation

Compulsory Functions:

• Provide electricity and clean drinking water.
• Establish public healthcare facilities like hospitals, dispensaries, and family welfare centres.
• Arrange child vaccinations and control epidemic diseases.
• Offer primary and secondary education and organize sports events.
• Build and maintain roads and streets.
• Keep records of births and deaths.
• Ensure public safety through fire departments and disaster management during floods or earthquakes.
• Manage garbage and sewage disposal.
  

Voluntary or Discretionary Functions:

• Establish orphanages, old age homes, and night shelters.
• Provide affordable and efficient transport services.
• Beautify cities with parks, gardens, libraries, and museums.
• Organize fairs and exhibitions.
• Provide affordable housing.

Example: A Municipal Corporation like Delhi’s MCD ensures clean water supply (compulsory function) and may also build public parks like Lodhi Garden (voluntary function) to enhance city life.

Municipal Committee

• Manages smaller towns with populations between 20,000 and 3 lakh.
• Also called Municipal Boards or Municipalities.
• Consists of a General Body, Chairperson/President, and Chief Executive Officer or Secretary.

General Body or Municipal Committee

• Members, known as councillors, are elected by residents of municipal wards.
• Elected for a five-year term.

Chairperson or President

• Elected by Municipal Committee members, along with a Vice Chairperson.
• Performs functions similar to the Mayor of a Municipal Corporation.

Other Office Bearers

• Departments like education, health, and engineering are managed by committee members and senior officers.

Sources of Income

Urban local bodies collect funds through:

• Property tax, entertainment tax, water, and electricity charges.
• Octroi charges (on goods entering the city), service tax, toll tax, and vehicle tax.
• Financial aid from the state government.
• Toll tax is a major income source for Municipal Corporations.

Differences between the Municipal Corporation and the Municipal Committee

• Municipal Corporations operate in cities with over 20 lakh people; Municipal Committees function in towns with 20,000 to 3 lakh people.
• Municipal Corporations are led by a Mayor; Municipal Committees are headed by a Chairperson or President.
• Municipal Corporations have broader powers and more revenue sources; Municipal Committees have fewer powers and revenue sources.
• Municipal Corporations deal directly with the state government; Municipal Committees interact through district administration.

Local Government

• Local government operates under a District Collector or Deputy Commissioner, the highest district officer responsible for revenue collection.
• Appointed by the state government after passing the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) exam.
• Trained in administration and management of local affairs.

• Various officers work under the Deputy Commissioner, heading different departments.
• Officers like tehsildar, naib tehsildar, lekhpal, and patwari handle land records and revenue collection in villages and towns.
• Other key officers include Chief Medical Officer, Inspector of Education, and District Judge.

• Collects revenues and maintains land records.
• Maintains law and order in the district.
• Ensures provision of civic amenities and execution of public works.
• Implements policies and programmes of Panchayati Raj institutions.

Example: In a district like Pune, the Deputy Commissioner ensures land records are updated, maintains law and order during festivals, and oversees road construction projects.