Urban Local Government in Rajasthan | RPSC Preparation: All subjects - RPSC RAS (Rajasthan) PDF Download

Introduction

The concept of Urban Local Government in India refers to the administration of urban areas by elected representatives.
There are currently eight types of urban local governments in India:

• Municipal Corporations
• Municipality
• Notified Area Committee
• Town Area Committee
• Cantonment Board
• Township
• Port Trust
• Special Purpose Agency

Historical Background of Urban Local Government

• The historical roots of Municipal Administration in India can be traced back to 1687 with the establishment of a Municipal Corporation in Madras. Municipal Corporations were subsequently set up in Bombay and Calcutta in 1726. Lord Ripon played a significant role by introducing a resolution for local self-government, earning him the title of the father of local self-government in India.
• Following India's independence, the Rajasthan Town Municipalities Act was enacted in 1951, replacing the municipal laws of the princely states. This act was later replaced by the Rajasthan Municipalities Act, 1959, after the reorganization of the state. The Constitution (74th Amendment) Act, 1992, introduced new Articles from 243-P to 243-ZG, empowering municipalities with responsibilities related to 18 matters listed in the Twelfth Schedule.
• The Constitution (74th Amendment) Act, 1992 introduced a new segment, Part-IX A, into the Constitution of India, specifically focusing on urban governance. This section encompasses Articles 243-P to 243-ZG, along with the Twelfth Schedule that outlines 18 essential functions of municipalities.

Urban Local Government: Constitutional Provisions

The Constitution (74th Amendment) Act of 1992 introduced a new Part-IX A to the Constitution of India, titled 'The Municipalities,' which includes Articles 243-P to 243-ZG. The Act also added the Twelfth Schedule, which lists 18 functions assigned to municipalities.

Significance of the Act

• The Amendment standardized the management of local bodies, curtailing the unrestricted authority of State Governments. It mandated the establishment, empowerment, and operational guidelines for urban local self-governing bodies.

Salient Features of the Act

• The Act brought about a structured framework for urban governance, ensuring a uniform approach across different states.
• It provided legal backing for the formation and functioning of urban local bodies, ensuring their autonomy and effectiveness.
• Empowered municipalities to levy taxes, make bylaws, and manage local resources, enhancing their financial independence.
• Introduced the concept of ward committees to facilitate local participation and decentralized decision-making.
• Types of Municipalities in Rajasthan:
  • Municipal Corporation: This type is designated for larger urban areas.
  • Municipal Council: Reserved for smaller urban areas.
  • Nagar Panchayat: Intended for transitional areas, known by various names.
• Composition of Municipal Bodies

• Municipal bodies are composed as follows:

  • All seats are filled through direct elections from territorial constituencies known as wards.
  • Members of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly representing an area of the Municipality are included.
  • State Government can nominate three individuals or ten percent of elected members, whichever is lesser, with expertise in municipal administration.
  • Members of the House of the People representing relevant constituencies are part of the composition.
• Wards Committees: The Act mandates the formation of Ward Committees within Municipalities with a population exceeding 3 lakhs. These committees typically consist of one or more wards.
• Reservation of Seats: To ensure adequate representation of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and women, seats are reserved in every Municipality.
• Duration of Municipalities: Municipalities operate on a fixed term of five years from their initial meeting date.
• Elections: The State Election Commission of Rajasthan manages electoral rolls and conducts Municipal body elections under Article 243ZA. The election process for appointing Municipalities' Chairpersons is determined by the State Legislature.
• Finance Commission: The Finance Commission, as per Article 243-I, reviews the financial status of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Municipalities, making recommendations to the Governor.
• Committee for District Planning: At the District level, a District Planning Committee is established to consolidate plans from Panchayats and Municipalities, creating a comprehensive Development Plan for the District.
• Metropolitan Planning Committees: Within every Metropolitan area, a Metropolitan Planning Committee is set up to craft a Development Plan for the entire Metropolitan region.

Major Features of the Act

The Municipal Administration Act in Rajasthan encompasses both mandatory and voluntary provisions. Essential compulsory regulations, applicable across all states, include various aspects of governance, ensuring standardized practices.

• Constitution of Urban Local Bodies
  • Formation of nagar panchayats, municipal councils, and municipal corporations in different sizes of urban areas.
  • Example: Nagar panchayats are established in small urban areas, while municipal corporations are set up in very big urban areas.
• Reserved Seats in Urban Local Bodies
  • Allocation of seats in urban local bodies for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population.
  • Example: If a city has a significant population of Scheduled Tribes, a proportionate number of seats are reserved for them in the municipal council.
• Reservation of Seats for Women
  • Reservation of up to one-third of the seats in urban local bodies for women.
  • Example: In a municipal corporation with 100 seats, at least 33 seats would be reserved for female candidates.
• Role of State Election Commission
  • The State Election Commission, responsible for conducting elections in panchayati raj bodies, also oversees elections in urban local self-governing bodies.
  • Example: The same commission that organizes village council elections will also manage elections for the city council.
• Financial Oversight by State Finance Commission
  • The State Finance Commission, dealing with financial matters of panchayati raj bodies, also supervises the financial affairs of urban self-governing bodies.
  • Example: Just as it ensures financial stability for rural bodies, the commission maintains financial order for urban governing bodies.
• Tenure and Dissolution of Urban Local Bodies
  • The tenure of urban local self-governing bodies is fixed at five years, with provision for fresh elections within six months in case of early dissolution.
  • Example: If a municipal council is dissolved before its term ends, a new election must be held within six months to form a new council.

Some voluntary provisions, though not obligatory, are encouraged to be followed by the States are:

• Voting Rights: Members of Union and State Legislatures are granted the right to vote within municipal bodies.
• Reservation Policies: Backward classes are provided with reserved seats within municipal bodies to ensure representation.
• Financial Autonomy: Municipal bodies are empowered with financial authority concerning taxes, duties, tolls, and fees, enabling independent fiscal management.
• Autonomy and Devolution of Powers: Municipal bodies are granted autonomy and the transfer of powers to execute functions detailed in the Twelfth Schedule. They can also create economic development plans independently.

Urban Local Government in Rajasthan 

In the state of Rajasthan, the urban local governance framework consists of various tiers known as Municipalities, Municipal Councils, and Municipal Corporations, totaling to 190 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

•  Municipal Corporations (Nagar Nigam) : These are administrative bodies in seven major cities in Rajasthan, namely Ajmer, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, and Udaipur.
•  Municipal Councils (Nagar Parishad) : There are 34 Municipal Councils in the state.
•  Municipalities (Nagar Palika) : The majority of urban areas are governed by 149 Municipalities.

Authorities in Urban Local Bodies

Each Urban Local Body operates with three main authorities:

• The Council: This is the deliberative and legislative wing of the Urban Local Body. It comprises Councillors who are directly elected by the residents. The Council is led by a Chairman who presides over all council meetings.
•  Standing Committees: These committees are established to streamline the functioning of the council. They are responsible for overseeing various aspects such as public works, taxation, health, and finance.
•  Chief Executive Officer (CEO): The CEO is appointed by the State government and is tasked with the day-to-day administration of the Urban Local Body.

New Initiatives in Urban Governance

Several urban development initiatives have been undertaken in the state of Rajasthan to enhance infrastructure and living conditions.
Let's explore these key projects:

• Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM): JNNURM aimed to improve urban infrastructure in cities across India, including Rajasthan, focusing on areas like water supply, sanitation, road connectivity, and urban transport.
• Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT): UIDSSMT targeted the development of infrastructure in small and medium towns in Rajasthan, enhancing amenities like water supply, roads, and sanitation.
• Basic Services to Urban Poor (BSUP): BSUP focused on providing basic services like housing, water supply, and sanitation to the urban poor in Rajasthan.
• Integrated Housing & Slum Development Programme (IHSDP): IHSDP aimed to improve housing and living conditions in slum areas of Rajasthan, focusing on infrastructure development and housing for the economically weaker sections.
• National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM): NULM focused on enhancing livelihood opportunities for the urban poor in Rajasthan through skill development, employment programs, and social mobilization.
• Smart City Initiatives: Rajasthan has been actively involved in the Smart City mission, implementing technology-driven solutions for sustainable urban development and efficient governance.
• HRIDAY Cities: HRIDAY Cities project aimed at preserving and revitalizing the cultural heritage of cities in Rajasthan, promoting tourism and sustainable urban development.
• AMRUT City: The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) focused on improving infrastructure in cities of Rajasthan, including water supply, sewage management, and urban transport.
• SmartRaj: E-Governance Project: SmartRaj initiative focused on implementing e-governance solutions in urban local bodies across Rajasthan, enhancing service delivery and efficiency.
• LED Street Lighting Project: Rajasthan led the way in implementing LED street lighting projects, making significant strides in energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.