Municipalities and Municipal Corporations in India The urban and sub-urban areas in India are mainly taken care of by the municipalities and municipal corporations. The size of the municipality can vary from one place to another. It can be as large as a district and as small as a tehsil. Work pressure on the municipalities has increased immensely from the time of independence. Various types of technologies are being implemented to reduce the pressure. The governance of the municipalities has also become easier with the introduction of technology. The implementation of technology has also helped in tax recoveries. Previously the municipalities were dependent on the state governments for aids and finances. As a result, their being autonomous was coming under question. After 2000, they started becoming financially independent and self-sufficient. The Municipal Corporation plays an important role in city administration. The Municipal Commissioner is the head of the Executive branch of the Municipal Corporation. The Municipal Commissioner has all the executive powers. The mayor is also an integral part of the Municipal Corporation, though he lacks any form of executive authority. There are also councilors, who work at the acute local level. The Municipal Corporation is responsible for the maintenance of roads, supply of clean and potable water to the general masses, street lighting, removal of garbage, sanitary and healthcare facilities, registration of births and deaths in the area, maintenance of bridges and heritage buildings, operating schools on primary level, opening of dispensaries and health clinics, naming of streets and houses and many more. There are also some discretionary functions that are carried out by the Municipal Corporation. These include conducting surveys, public entertainment, organizing public receptions, public exhibitions, to construct and maintain museums, libraries, public parks and gardens, planning and laying of areas, construction of orphanages, leper homes, rescue home for women and street children, rest houses and many more. The welfare and well being of the municipal employees is also taken care of by the Municipal Corporation. The Municipal Corporation has to work hand in hand with the State Government for effective implementation of the various plans and programs that are set up for the welfare of the common people. However, at times it has been seen that there are disputes between the State Government and the Municipal Corporation on the ways of working and management of funds. There are also many non-government organizations and agencies that work with the State Government as well as with the Municipal Corporation to ensure better services to the people. Municipal Councils The role and functions of the Municipal Councils are similar to Municipal Corporations. The only difference is the area that is covered by each of them. While a Municipal Corporation takes care of a large area, municipal councils work for a comparatively smaller area. The Municipal Councils are governed directly by State statutes. The municipal councils vary from one state to other depending on the size and population of the state. The members, who are an integral part of the Municipal Council, are its President, the Committee and the Chief or the Executive Officer. The President is elected from among the councilors and can be approached for any required help. The term of the President also varies from one to three years and is not the same as that of the council. Both deliberative and executive powers are vested in the President of the municipal council. The tenure of the councilors in the municipal councils varies from three to five years, in accordance to the municipal acts that are passed for the individual state. The municipal councils also have discretionary and obligatory functions that have to be carried out and are almost similar to the functions of Municipal Corporations and Municipalities. With passage of time, new steps have been taken up to update and upgrade the municipal system in the country. Many modern mechanisms have been applied to these local bodies to that their efficient functioning is ensured. Quality of work has also been emphasized in the various agendas and acts that have been brought forward by the local administrative bodies.
Posted on: Sat, 21 Sep 2013 13:36:47 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015