Textbook: Urban Local Government Bodie | History and Civics Class 6 (Maharashtra Board) PDF Download

 Page 1


71
In the previous chapter, we have 
studied the nature of the local government 
bodies in the rural areas. In this chapter, 
we will learn something about the local 
government institutions in the urban areas. 
These include the Nagar Panchayat, the 
Municipal Council and the Municipal 
Corporation.
Our country has a large number of 
towns and cities and they are growing 
rapidly. Villages are growing into towns, 
towns into cities and cities into metropolises. 
The rural areas neighbouring cities are 
also getting transformed.
Let’s discuss.
Facilities and Problems in Cities
1. Opportunities for industry and business 1. Shortage of housing
2. Expanding service sector 2. Insufficient space
3. Large scale opportunities for jobs 3. Traffic congestion
4. Availability of facilities for entertainment, 4. Problem of disposal of waste
art, culture, etc. 5. Increasing crime
6. A large proportion of
population in slums
4. Urban Local Government Bodies
4.1 The Nagar Panchayat
4.2 The Municipal Council 
4.3 The Municipal Corporation
What are the main problems that 
cities face ?
Reshma had spent a wonderful 
Diwali vacation with her relatives in a 
city. However, she began to think about 
some of her experiences. Think along 
with Reshma about these incidents and 
write your thoughts in two paragraphs.
? The siren of the ambulance sounded
loud and clear but there was no free
way on the road.
? As a result of the decision to cut the
water supply, there was a great crowd
at the water supply tankers.
? Efforts were being made to provide
facilities to senior citizens and small
children in the parks.
4.1 Nagar Panchayat
The villages that are in the process of 
becoming towns have a Nagar Panchayat. 
We see some areas which are neither fully 
rural nor fully urban. In such areas, the 
local government body is the Nagar 
Panchayat. As with other local bodies, 
elections to a Nagar Panchayat are held 
every five years. The elected members 
choose a President and a Vice-President 
from among themselves.
All local government bodies 
have to carry out some essential 
functions. What, according to you, 
are the essential functions of a 
Nagar Panchayat ?
Page 2


71
In the previous chapter, we have 
studied the nature of the local government 
bodies in the rural areas. In this chapter, 
we will learn something about the local 
government institutions in the urban areas. 
These include the Nagar Panchayat, the 
Municipal Council and the Municipal 
Corporation.
Our country has a large number of 
towns and cities and they are growing 
rapidly. Villages are growing into towns, 
towns into cities and cities into metropolises. 
The rural areas neighbouring cities are 
also getting transformed.
Let’s discuss.
Facilities and Problems in Cities
1. Opportunities for industry and business 1. Shortage of housing
2. Expanding service sector 2. Insufficient space
3. Large scale opportunities for jobs 3. Traffic congestion
4. Availability of facilities for entertainment, 4. Problem of disposal of waste
art, culture, etc. 5. Increasing crime
6. A large proportion of
population in slums
4. Urban Local Government Bodies
4.1 The Nagar Panchayat
4.2 The Municipal Council 
4.3 The Municipal Corporation
What are the main problems that 
cities face ?
Reshma had spent a wonderful 
Diwali vacation with her relatives in a 
city. However, she began to think about 
some of her experiences. Think along 
with Reshma about these incidents and 
write your thoughts in two paragraphs.
? The siren of the ambulance sounded
loud and clear but there was no free
way on the road.
? As a result of the decision to cut the
water supply, there was a great crowd
at the water supply tankers.
? Efforts were being made to provide
facilities to senior citizens and small
children in the parks.
4.1 Nagar Panchayat
The villages that are in the process of 
becoming towns have a Nagar Panchayat. 
We see some areas which are neither fully 
rural nor fully urban. In such areas, the 
local government body is the Nagar 
Panchayat. As with other local bodies, 
elections to a Nagar Panchayat are held 
every five years. The elected members 
choose a President and a Vice-President 
from among themselves.
All local government bodies 
have to carry out some essential 
functions. What, according to you, 
are the essential functions of a 
Nagar Panchayat ?
72
4.2 The Municipal Council 
The Municipal Council is the local 
government body for small cities. Elections 
to the Council are held every five years. 
The elected representatives function as 
Councillors. They choose a President from 
among themselves.
The President of the Municipal Council 
is the chairman of all its meetings. He 
controls the working of the Council and 
keeps a watch on the financial 
administration of the Council. In the 
absence of the President, the Vice-President 
looks after the work of the Council.
There are some functions that are 
binding on the Council. These are known 
as obligatory functions, for example, 
lighting of public streets, providing 
drinking water, public hygiene, sewage 
disposal, registration of birth/death/
marriage, etc.
The Municipal Council also tries to 
provide additional facilities to the people 
and these functions are known as 
‘discretionary functions’. Planning new 
public roads and acquiring the necessary 
land, improving the condition of slums, 
creating public gardens and parks, 
providing secure shelters for cattle are 
some of the ‘discretionary’ functions of 
the Municipal Council. 
For every Municipal Council, there 
is a Chief Officer. He implements the 
decisions taken by the Municipal 
Council. There are several officers who 
assist him.
* 
Would you like to become such 
an officer ? If you become a  
Health Officer, what functions would 
you perform ?
What would you do?
Grants from 
State Government
Water Tax
Tax on Markets
Appeal from the Municipal Council
Calling all citizens – to take the 
following measures to stop breeding of 
mosquitoes and curb the spread of 
dengue :
(1) Do not stack old tyres, coconut 
shells, empty cans or boxes on your 
terrace or around your house. 
(2) In case of persistent fever go to a 
doctor without delay.
(3) Keep your surroundings clean.
* 
In response to the above, what 
would you do in your house and in the 
surroundings ?
Property
Tax
Education Tax
Do you know ?
1.  When you hand over your 
household waste to the waste 
pickers….
2.  The road is waterlogged as the 
water pipe has broken.
3.  You notice that unclean, impure 
water is being used for pani puris.
4.  Many people are throwing plastic 
bags from the bridge into the river.
5.  The Municipal Council’s 
programme to clean the slum areas 
has been published in the 
newspaper, but you think that one 
of the planned actions is improper.
The sources of revenue of the
Municipal Council
Page 3


71
In the previous chapter, we have 
studied the nature of the local government 
bodies in the rural areas. In this chapter, 
we will learn something about the local 
government institutions in the urban areas. 
These include the Nagar Panchayat, the 
Municipal Council and the Municipal 
Corporation.
Our country has a large number of 
towns and cities and they are growing 
rapidly. Villages are growing into towns, 
towns into cities and cities into metropolises. 
The rural areas neighbouring cities are 
also getting transformed.
Let’s discuss.
Facilities and Problems in Cities
1. Opportunities for industry and business 1. Shortage of housing
2. Expanding service sector 2. Insufficient space
3. Large scale opportunities for jobs 3. Traffic congestion
4. Availability of facilities for entertainment, 4. Problem of disposal of waste
art, culture, etc. 5. Increasing crime
6. A large proportion of
population in slums
4. Urban Local Government Bodies
4.1 The Nagar Panchayat
4.2 The Municipal Council 
4.3 The Municipal Corporation
What are the main problems that 
cities face ?
Reshma had spent a wonderful 
Diwali vacation with her relatives in a 
city. However, she began to think about 
some of her experiences. Think along 
with Reshma about these incidents and 
write your thoughts in two paragraphs.
? The siren of the ambulance sounded
loud and clear but there was no free
way on the road.
? As a result of the decision to cut the
water supply, there was a great crowd
at the water supply tankers.
? Efforts were being made to provide
facilities to senior citizens and small
children in the parks.
4.1 Nagar Panchayat
The villages that are in the process of 
becoming towns have a Nagar Panchayat. 
We see some areas which are neither fully 
rural nor fully urban. In such areas, the 
local government body is the Nagar 
Panchayat. As with other local bodies, 
elections to a Nagar Panchayat are held 
every five years. The elected members 
choose a President and a Vice-President 
from among themselves.
All local government bodies 
have to carry out some essential 
functions. What, according to you, 
are the essential functions of a 
Nagar Panchayat ?
72
4.2 The Municipal Council 
The Municipal Council is the local 
government body for small cities. Elections 
to the Council are held every five years. 
The elected representatives function as 
Councillors. They choose a President from 
among themselves.
The President of the Municipal Council 
is the chairman of all its meetings. He 
controls the working of the Council and 
keeps a watch on the financial 
administration of the Council. In the 
absence of the President, the Vice-President 
looks after the work of the Council.
There are some functions that are 
binding on the Council. These are known 
as obligatory functions, for example, 
lighting of public streets, providing 
drinking water, public hygiene, sewage 
disposal, registration of birth/death/
marriage, etc.
The Municipal Council also tries to 
provide additional facilities to the people 
and these functions are known as 
‘discretionary functions’. Planning new 
public roads and acquiring the necessary 
land, improving the condition of slums, 
creating public gardens and parks, 
providing secure shelters for cattle are 
some of the ‘discretionary’ functions of 
the Municipal Council. 
For every Municipal Council, there 
is a Chief Officer. He implements the 
decisions taken by the Municipal 
Council. There are several officers who 
assist him.
* 
Would you like to become such 
an officer ? If you become a  
Health Officer, what functions would 
you perform ?
What would you do?
Grants from 
State Government
Water Tax
Tax on Markets
Appeal from the Municipal Council
Calling all citizens – to take the 
following measures to stop breeding of 
mosquitoes and curb the spread of 
dengue :
(1) Do not stack old tyres, coconut 
shells, empty cans or boxes on your 
terrace or around your house. 
(2) In case of persistent fever go to a 
doctor without delay.
(3) Keep your surroundings clean.
* 
In response to the above, what 
would you do in your house and in the 
surroundings ?
Property
Tax
Education Tax
Do you know ?
1.  When you hand over your 
household waste to the waste 
pickers….
2.  The road is waterlogged as the 
water pipe has broken.
3.  You notice that unclean, impure 
water is being used for pani puris.
4.  Many people are throwing plastic 
bags from the bridge into the river.
5.  The Municipal Council’s 
programme to clean the slum areas 
has been published in the 
newspaper, but you think that one 
of the planned actions is improper.
The sources of revenue of the
Municipal Council
73
The proportion of women in the 
total population is nearly half. Yet, 
very few women are seen to take 
part in the working of the government. 
Women handle issues like food, 
energy, water every day as part of 
their daily routine but they had no 
say in the decisions regarding these 
issues. A woman takes care of the 
water in the house but she did not 
participate in dealing with water 
issues. With fifty percent reservation 
for women in the local bodies, they 
now have got an opportunity to 
resolve important issues. 
Form an Education Committee 
for your class. The Committee should 
have an equal number of boys and 
girls as representatives. They should 
discuss the following issues and 
prepare a report.
(a) Facilities in the classroom
(b) A proposal for setting up a small 
library for the class
(c) Organising a sports competition
Try this.
Do you know ?
4.3 Municipal Corporation : 
The local body that provides different 
services to the people in big cities is 
called ‘Municipal Corporation’. The first 
Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra 
was established at Mumbai.
Find out : (1) In how many cities 
of Maharashtra State is the 
administration carried out through 
Corporations? (2) In which year was 
the Municipal Corporation of your 
city established? 
Administration of the Corporation  :
The Municipal Commissioner is the 
head of the administration of the 
Corporation. He is responsible for 
implementing the decisions taken by the 
Corporation. For example, if a Corporation 
takes the decision of putting a ban on 
the use of plastic bags, then the actual 
implementation of this policy is done by 
the Commissioner. He also prepares the 
annual budget of the Corporation and 
remains present for the general  
body meetings.
The total number of members of a 
Municipal Corporation is determined so 
as to be in proportion to the population 
of the city. The elections to the 
Corporation are held every five years. 
The elected members are known as 
Corporators. They elect a Mayor and 
a Deputy Mayor from among 
themselves. The Mayor is considered to 
be the first citizen of the city. He 
presides over all the meetings of the 
Corporation. Many important issues 
regarding the city are discussed, and 
decisions regarding the development of 
the city are made in the General Body 
meeting of the Corporation. 
The Committees of the Corporation :  The Corporation carries out its work 
through different committees. Some of 
the important committees are Education 
Committee, Health Committee, Transport 
Committee, etc.
Page 4


71
In the previous chapter, we have 
studied the nature of the local government 
bodies in the rural areas. In this chapter, 
we will learn something about the local 
government institutions in the urban areas. 
These include the Nagar Panchayat, the 
Municipal Council and the Municipal 
Corporation.
Our country has a large number of 
towns and cities and they are growing 
rapidly. Villages are growing into towns, 
towns into cities and cities into metropolises. 
The rural areas neighbouring cities are 
also getting transformed.
Let’s discuss.
Facilities and Problems in Cities
1. Opportunities for industry and business 1. Shortage of housing
2. Expanding service sector 2. Insufficient space
3. Large scale opportunities for jobs 3. Traffic congestion
4. Availability of facilities for entertainment, 4. Problem of disposal of waste
art, culture, etc. 5. Increasing crime
6. A large proportion of
population in slums
4. Urban Local Government Bodies
4.1 The Nagar Panchayat
4.2 The Municipal Council 
4.3 The Municipal Corporation
What are the main problems that 
cities face ?
Reshma had spent a wonderful 
Diwali vacation with her relatives in a 
city. However, she began to think about 
some of her experiences. Think along 
with Reshma about these incidents and 
write your thoughts in two paragraphs.
? The siren of the ambulance sounded
loud and clear but there was no free
way on the road.
? As a result of the decision to cut the
water supply, there was a great crowd
at the water supply tankers.
? Efforts were being made to provide
facilities to senior citizens and small
children in the parks.
4.1 Nagar Panchayat
The villages that are in the process of 
becoming towns have a Nagar Panchayat. 
We see some areas which are neither fully 
rural nor fully urban. In such areas, the 
local government body is the Nagar 
Panchayat. As with other local bodies, 
elections to a Nagar Panchayat are held 
every five years. The elected members 
choose a President and a Vice-President 
from among themselves.
All local government bodies 
have to carry out some essential 
functions. What, according to you, 
are the essential functions of a 
Nagar Panchayat ?
72
4.2 The Municipal Council 
The Municipal Council is the local 
government body for small cities. Elections 
to the Council are held every five years. 
The elected representatives function as 
Councillors. They choose a President from 
among themselves.
The President of the Municipal Council 
is the chairman of all its meetings. He 
controls the working of the Council and 
keeps a watch on the financial 
administration of the Council. In the 
absence of the President, the Vice-President 
looks after the work of the Council.
There are some functions that are 
binding on the Council. These are known 
as obligatory functions, for example, 
lighting of public streets, providing 
drinking water, public hygiene, sewage 
disposal, registration of birth/death/
marriage, etc.
The Municipal Council also tries to 
provide additional facilities to the people 
and these functions are known as 
‘discretionary functions’. Planning new 
public roads and acquiring the necessary 
land, improving the condition of slums, 
creating public gardens and parks, 
providing secure shelters for cattle are 
some of the ‘discretionary’ functions of 
the Municipal Council. 
For every Municipal Council, there 
is a Chief Officer. He implements the 
decisions taken by the Municipal 
Council. There are several officers who 
assist him.
* 
Would you like to become such 
an officer ? If you become a  
Health Officer, what functions would 
you perform ?
What would you do?
Grants from 
State Government
Water Tax
Tax on Markets
Appeal from the Municipal Council
Calling all citizens – to take the 
following measures to stop breeding of 
mosquitoes and curb the spread of 
dengue :
(1) Do not stack old tyres, coconut 
shells, empty cans or boxes on your 
terrace or around your house. 
(2) In case of persistent fever go to a 
doctor without delay.
(3) Keep your surroundings clean.
* 
In response to the above, what 
would you do in your house and in the 
surroundings ?
Property
Tax
Education Tax
Do you know ?
1.  When you hand over your 
household waste to the waste 
pickers….
2.  The road is waterlogged as the 
water pipe has broken.
3.  You notice that unclean, impure 
water is being used for pani puris.
4.  Many people are throwing plastic 
bags from the bridge into the river.
5.  The Municipal Council’s 
programme to clean the slum areas 
has been published in the 
newspaper, but you think that one 
of the planned actions is improper.
The sources of revenue of the
Municipal Council
73
The proportion of women in the 
total population is nearly half. Yet, 
very few women are seen to take 
part in the working of the government. 
Women handle issues like food, 
energy, water every day as part of 
their daily routine but they had no 
say in the decisions regarding these 
issues. A woman takes care of the 
water in the house but she did not 
participate in dealing with water 
issues. With fifty percent reservation 
for women in the local bodies, they 
now have got an opportunity to 
resolve important issues. 
Form an Education Committee 
for your class. The Committee should 
have an equal number of boys and 
girls as representatives. They should 
discuss the following issues and 
prepare a report.
(a) Facilities in the classroom
(b) A proposal for setting up a small 
library for the class
(c) Organising a sports competition
Try this.
Do you know ?
4.3 Municipal Corporation : 
The local body that provides different 
services to the people in big cities is 
called ‘Municipal Corporation’. The first 
Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra 
was established at Mumbai.
Find out : (1) In how many cities 
of Maharashtra State is the 
administration carried out through 
Corporations? (2) In which year was 
the Municipal Corporation of your 
city established? 
Administration of the Corporation  :
The Municipal Commissioner is the 
head of the administration of the 
Corporation. He is responsible for 
implementing the decisions taken by the 
Corporation. For example, if a Corporation 
takes the decision of putting a ban on 
the use of plastic bags, then the actual 
implementation of this policy is done by 
the Commissioner. He also prepares the 
annual budget of the Corporation and 
remains present for the general  
body meetings.
The total number of members of a 
Municipal Corporation is determined so 
as to be in proportion to the population 
of the city. The elections to the 
Corporation are held every five years. 
The elected members are known as 
Corporators. They elect a Mayor and 
a Deputy Mayor from among 
themselves. The Mayor is considered to 
be the first citizen of the city. He 
presides over all the meetings of the 
Corporation. Many important issues 
regarding the city are discussed, and 
decisions regarding the development of 
the city are made in the General Body 
meeting of the Corporation. 
The Committees of the Corporation :  The Corporation carries out its work 
through different committees. Some of 
the important committees are Education 
Committee, Health Committee, Transport 
Committee, etc.
74
Water supply
Registration of 
birth, death, marriages
Providing electricity 
for the streets
Elementary education
Fire 
Brigade
Police
Deciding the 
Railway time table
Permission for 
construction
Provide information about 
dangerous buildings
Public transport in cities
Protecting 
the borders 
of the 
country
Demolition of 
unauthorized construction
 
Collection of Taxes
Protection of 
environment
From the list given below, identify the functions of the Corporation and make a list.
Sources of revenue 
of the Corporation
What did you feel on reading this ?
? The Metro will soon run in your 
city.
? Permission has been given for the 
construction of a 24 storey building.
? Gardens and Leisure Centres will be 
established in every ward. 
? Action will be taken against those 
who use purified water to water the 
gardens or to wash their cars. 
? It has been made compulsory to 
dispose of wet garbage within  
one’s locality.
? Old age homes will be constructed 
for the benefit of senior citizens.
Why did the Corporation do it?
? The Corporation has refused 
permission for any construction work 
that would require the cutting down 
of trees.
? It has implemented many programmes 
to control the spread of diseases like 
dengue, swine flu, corona, etc.
? Modernised the Fire Brigade.
? Inspected the weighing scales in the 
vegetable market.
?? House Tax ?? Entertainment Tax
?? Property Tax ?? Raising Loans
?? Water Tax ?? State Government
?? Profession Tax  
Grants
Page 5


71
In the previous chapter, we have 
studied the nature of the local government 
bodies in the rural areas. In this chapter, 
we will learn something about the local 
government institutions in the urban areas. 
These include the Nagar Panchayat, the 
Municipal Council and the Municipal 
Corporation.
Our country has a large number of 
towns and cities and they are growing 
rapidly. Villages are growing into towns, 
towns into cities and cities into metropolises. 
The rural areas neighbouring cities are 
also getting transformed.
Let’s discuss.
Facilities and Problems in Cities
1. Opportunities for industry and business 1. Shortage of housing
2. Expanding service sector 2. Insufficient space
3. Large scale opportunities for jobs 3. Traffic congestion
4. Availability of facilities for entertainment, 4. Problem of disposal of waste
art, culture, etc. 5. Increasing crime
6. A large proportion of
population in slums
4. Urban Local Government Bodies
4.1 The Nagar Panchayat
4.2 The Municipal Council 
4.3 The Municipal Corporation
What are the main problems that 
cities face ?
Reshma had spent a wonderful 
Diwali vacation with her relatives in a 
city. However, she began to think about 
some of her experiences. Think along 
with Reshma about these incidents and 
write your thoughts in two paragraphs.
? The siren of the ambulance sounded
loud and clear but there was no free
way on the road.
? As a result of the decision to cut the
water supply, there was a great crowd
at the water supply tankers.
? Efforts were being made to provide
facilities to senior citizens and small
children in the parks.
4.1 Nagar Panchayat
The villages that are in the process of 
becoming towns have a Nagar Panchayat. 
We see some areas which are neither fully 
rural nor fully urban. In such areas, the 
local government body is the Nagar 
Panchayat. As with other local bodies, 
elections to a Nagar Panchayat are held 
every five years. The elected members 
choose a President and a Vice-President 
from among themselves.
All local government bodies 
have to carry out some essential 
functions. What, according to you, 
are the essential functions of a 
Nagar Panchayat ?
72
4.2 The Municipal Council 
The Municipal Council is the local 
government body for small cities. Elections 
to the Council are held every five years. 
The elected representatives function as 
Councillors. They choose a President from 
among themselves.
The President of the Municipal Council 
is the chairman of all its meetings. He 
controls the working of the Council and 
keeps a watch on the financial 
administration of the Council. In the 
absence of the President, the Vice-President 
looks after the work of the Council.
There are some functions that are 
binding on the Council. These are known 
as obligatory functions, for example, 
lighting of public streets, providing 
drinking water, public hygiene, sewage 
disposal, registration of birth/death/
marriage, etc.
The Municipal Council also tries to 
provide additional facilities to the people 
and these functions are known as 
‘discretionary functions’. Planning new 
public roads and acquiring the necessary 
land, improving the condition of slums, 
creating public gardens and parks, 
providing secure shelters for cattle are 
some of the ‘discretionary’ functions of 
the Municipal Council. 
For every Municipal Council, there 
is a Chief Officer. He implements the 
decisions taken by the Municipal 
Council. There are several officers who 
assist him.
* 
Would you like to become such 
an officer ? If you become a  
Health Officer, what functions would 
you perform ?
What would you do?
Grants from 
State Government
Water Tax
Tax on Markets
Appeal from the Municipal Council
Calling all citizens – to take the 
following measures to stop breeding of 
mosquitoes and curb the spread of 
dengue :
(1) Do not stack old tyres, coconut 
shells, empty cans or boxes on your 
terrace or around your house. 
(2) In case of persistent fever go to a 
doctor without delay.
(3) Keep your surroundings clean.
* 
In response to the above, what 
would you do in your house and in the 
surroundings ?
Property
Tax
Education Tax
Do you know ?
1.  When you hand over your 
household waste to the waste 
pickers….
2.  The road is waterlogged as the 
water pipe has broken.
3.  You notice that unclean, impure 
water is being used for pani puris.
4.  Many people are throwing plastic 
bags from the bridge into the river.
5.  The Municipal Council’s 
programme to clean the slum areas 
has been published in the 
newspaper, but you think that one 
of the planned actions is improper.
The sources of revenue of the
Municipal Council
73
The proportion of women in the 
total population is nearly half. Yet, 
very few women are seen to take 
part in the working of the government. 
Women handle issues like food, 
energy, water every day as part of 
their daily routine but they had no 
say in the decisions regarding these 
issues. A woman takes care of the 
water in the house but she did not 
participate in dealing with water 
issues. With fifty percent reservation 
for women in the local bodies, they 
now have got an opportunity to 
resolve important issues. 
Form an Education Committee 
for your class. The Committee should 
have an equal number of boys and 
girls as representatives. They should 
discuss the following issues and 
prepare a report.
(a) Facilities in the classroom
(b) A proposal for setting up a small 
library for the class
(c) Organising a sports competition
Try this.
Do you know ?
4.3 Municipal Corporation : 
The local body that provides different 
services to the people in big cities is 
called ‘Municipal Corporation’. The first 
Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra 
was established at Mumbai.
Find out : (1) In how many cities 
of Maharashtra State is the 
administration carried out through 
Corporations? (2) In which year was 
the Municipal Corporation of your 
city established? 
Administration of the Corporation  :
The Municipal Commissioner is the 
head of the administration of the 
Corporation. He is responsible for 
implementing the decisions taken by the 
Corporation. For example, if a Corporation 
takes the decision of putting a ban on 
the use of plastic bags, then the actual 
implementation of this policy is done by 
the Commissioner. He also prepares the 
annual budget of the Corporation and 
remains present for the general  
body meetings.
The total number of members of a 
Municipal Corporation is determined so 
as to be in proportion to the population 
of the city. The elections to the 
Corporation are held every five years. 
The elected members are known as 
Corporators. They elect a Mayor and 
a Deputy Mayor from among 
themselves. The Mayor is considered to 
be the first citizen of the city. He 
presides over all the meetings of the 
Corporation. Many important issues 
regarding the city are discussed, and 
decisions regarding the development of 
the city are made in the General Body 
meeting of the Corporation. 
The Committees of the Corporation :  The Corporation carries out its work 
through different committees. Some of 
the important committees are Education 
Committee, Health Committee, Transport 
Committee, etc.
74
Water supply
Registration of 
birth, death, marriages
Providing electricity 
for the streets
Elementary education
Fire 
Brigade
Police
Deciding the 
Railway time table
Permission for 
construction
Provide information about 
dangerous buildings
Public transport in cities
Protecting 
the borders 
of the 
country
Demolition of 
unauthorized construction
 
Collection of Taxes
Protection of 
environment
From the list given below, identify the functions of the Corporation and make a list.
Sources of revenue 
of the Corporation
What did you feel on reading this ?
? The Metro will soon run in your 
city.
? Permission has been given for the 
construction of a 24 storey building.
? Gardens and Leisure Centres will be 
established in every ward. 
? Action will be taken against those 
who use purified water to water the 
gardens or to wash their cars. 
? It has been made compulsory to 
dispose of wet garbage within  
one’s locality.
? Old age homes will be constructed 
for the benefit of senior citizens.
Why did the Corporation do it?
? The Corporation has refused 
permission for any construction work 
that would require the cutting down 
of trees.
? It has implemented many programmes 
to control the spread of diseases like 
dengue, swine flu, corona, etc.
? Modernised the Fire Brigade.
? Inspected the weighing scales in the 
vegetable market.
?? House Tax ?? Entertainment Tax
?? Property Tax ?? Raising Loans
?? Water Tax ?? State Government
?? Profession Tax  
Grants
75
Local Government Bodies - Urban
Nagar Panchayat    Municipal Council Municipal Corporation
Minimum 9 Minimum 17 The total number of 
Maximum 15 Maximum 38 members is proportionate
to the population
President President Mayor
Vice-President Vice-President Deputy Mayor
Executive Officer Chief Officer Commissioner
Officials
Office bearers
Strength of members
Do you know ?
Do this …
Find out the hospitals run by the Municipal Council  or Corporation in your 
area. What facilities are offered to the patients there ? What is a person required 
to do if she / he wants to take treatment there ?
What is meant by reservation ? Why is it necessary ?
Out of the total number of seats to which people elect their representatives 
in a Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad, Municipal Council 
and Municipal Corporation, some seats are reserved for members of the 
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the Backward Class of Citizens. Only 
members from that specific category can be elected to the reserved seat. This 
is known as reservation of seats. Also, out of the total number of seats, half 
of the seats are reserved for women.
Reservation is necessary as it allows the deprived sections of the society 
and women to take part in the working of villages and cities and to participate 
in the decision making process. In a democracy, it is important that all the 
people get an opportunity to participate in all the processes.