Urban Local Bodies | BPSC Preparation: All subjects - BPSC (Bihar) PDF Download

Urban Self Government

As per the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, all state governments are mandated to establish provisions for local self-government in urban areas. This act led to the formation of urban local bodies in various states, including Bihar.

• The urban local bodies in Bihar have been operational since 1920, following the Bihar and Orissa Municipal Act passed by the Government of British India in 1922. This act facilitated the constitution of various Municipalities and Notified Area Committees in the state.
• The rules governing these bodies came into effect on 1st April 1929. The Patna Municipal Corporation was established later, following the Patna Municipal Act of 1951. The municipalities in Bihar were reclassified as Municipal Council/Nagar Parishad, and Notified Area Committees were reconstituted as Nagar Panchayats based on population and urbanization levels after the 1951 Act.
• The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act necessitated state governments to define clear functions and responsibilities for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). In response, the Bihar Legislature enacted the Bihar Municipal Act of 2007, repealing previous acts governing urban local bodies in the state. This act requires the Bihar Government to prepare municipal accounting manuals to oversee the income and expenditure of urban local bodies.
• The Bihar State Government has implemented reservations for women (50%), backward classes (20%), and a percentage of seats for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in urban local bodies. In addition to Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayats, the state also has township and cantonment boards to manage urban and semi-urban areas.

Three Tier Structure of Urban Local Bodies

(i) Municipal Corporation

• In Bihar, there are 12 Municipal Corporations as per the 2011 Census, each with a population exceeding two lakh. These cities were the first to establish Municipal Corporations in Bihar, with Muzaffarpur being the pioneer. Patna Municipal Corporation, established on August 5, 1952, is one of the prominent corporations in the state. Funding and Reservations
• Municipal Corporations fund their activities through taxes, rents, and government grants.
• Specific reservations include Muzaffarpur Municipal Corporation for Backward Classes and Gaya Municipal Corporation for Scheduled Tribes.

City Division and Wards

• Cities under Municipal Corporations are divided into wards, with larger cities like Patna, Begusarai, and Gaya having 45 to 75 wards.

List of Municipal Corporations in Bihar

(ii) Municipal Council

• Municipal Councils (Nagar Parishad) in Bihar are responsible for managing small cities, towns, and semi-urban areas with populations ranging from 40,000 to 200,000. 
• These areas are divided into wards, typically numbering between 25 to 45. The Municipal Council is led by a Chairman and other elected members.

(iii) Nagar Panchayats

• Nagar Panchayats in Bihar function in areas transitioning from rural to urban status, usually with populations between 12,000 and 40,000. These areas are divided into wards, ranging from 10 to 25. 
• The Nagar Panchayat is headed by a Chairman and ten elected members, all chosen through general elections in their respective wards.

Members of Urban Local Bodies

• The Mayor (also known as the Chairman) is the leader of the urban local body. They oversee meetings and are responsible for the overall governance of the body. Mayors are elected through general elections.
• The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the full-time principal executive officer of the Corporation or Nagar Panchayat. Appointed by the State Government, the CEO's duties include general supervision, organizing board meetings, preparing budget estimates, and monitoring and implementing schemes.

Reservation of Seats in Urban Local Bodies

• Article 243 of the State Legislature ensures the reservation of seats in municipalities for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women. 
• This includes reserving not less than one-third of the total seats for women, which also counts women in SC and ST reserved seats. The Act allows states to declare seat reservations based on their specific conditions.

Functionaries of Urban Local Bodies

• As per Article 243 of the Twelfth Schedule in the Constitution, municipalities are responsible for 18 functional items. 
• These include urban planning, land regulation, economic and social development planning, road and bridge construction, among others.