Indian Polity — Urban Local Bodies
1. Evolution of Urban Local Bodies in India
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1687-88 | The first municipal corporation was set up in Madras. |
| 1726 | Municipal corporations were set up in Bombay and Calcutta. |
| 1870 | Lord Mayo's Resolution on financial decentralisation was released. It put forward the development of local self-government institutions. |
| 1882 | Lord Ripon's Resolution was released. It was hailed as the 'Magna Carta' of local self-government. Lord Ripon is called the father of local self-government in India. |
| 1907 | The Royal Commission on Decentralisation was appointed. |
| 1909 | The Royal Commission on Decentralisation submitted its report. |
| 1919 | Government of India Act 1919 — Dyarchical scheme introduced in Provinces. Local self-government became a transferred subject under the charge of a responsible Indian minister. |
| 1924 | The Cantonments Act was passed by the Central legislature. |
| 1935 | Government of India Act, 1935 — Provincial autonomy scheme introduced; local self-government was declared a provincial subject. |
| 1989 | Initially, the 65th Constitutional Amendment Bill (Nagarpalika Bill) was introduced in the Lok Sabha. |
| 1992 | The 65th Constitutional Amendment Bill emerged as the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 and came into force on 1 June, 1993 (During the prime ministership of P.V. Narasimha Rao). |
KEY EVENTS
- First Municipal Corporation: Madras (1687-88)
- Bombay & Calcutta: 1726
- Lord Mayo (1870): Financial decentralisation
- Lord Ripon (1882): "Magna Carta" of local self-government — Father of local self-government in India
- 74th Amendment (1992): Came into force on 1 June 1993 — P.V. Narasimha Rao
LORD RIPON — FATHER OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT
Lord Ripon's Resolution of 1882 was hailed as the 'Magna Carta' of local self-government. He is called the father of local self-government in India.
Lord Ripon's Resolution of 1882 was hailed as the 'Magna Carta' of local self-government. He is called the father of local self-government in India.
2. Types of Urban Local Government
Municipal Corporation
- Created for the administration of big cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore and others.
- Established in the states by the acts of the concerned state legislatures, and in the union territories by the acts of the Parliament of India.
- A municipal corporation has three authorities:
- The Council
- The Standing Committees
- The Commissioner
- The Municipal Commissioner is the chief executive authority of the corporation. He/She is appointed by the state government.
Municipality
- For administration of towns and smaller cities.
- Unlike Municipal corporations, the head of the council is called the President/Chairman and in place of the commissioner, they have a Chief Executive Officer/Chief Municipal Officer.
Notified Area Committee
- Created for the administration of fast developing towns and towns which do not yet fulfil all the conditions necessary for the constitution of a municipality.
- Created by a notification and unlike the municipality, it is an entirely nominated body by the state government.
- It is neither a statutory body nor an elected body.
Town Area Committee
- Set up by a separate act of the state legislature for the administration of small towns.
- May be wholly elected or wholly nominated or partly elected and partly nominated as provided by the state government.
Cantonment Board
- Municipal administration for the civilian population in the cantonment areas. Set up under the provisions of the Cantonment Act, 2006 by the central government.
- It is under the ambit of the Defence Ministry of the central government.
- It is partly elected and partly nominated.
- Ex-officio President: Military officer commanding the station.
- Vice President: Elected amongst the elected members of the board.
- Executive Officer: Appointed by the President of India.
Township
- Established by public enterprises to provide civic amenities to its staff and workers.
- It is not an elected body and all members are appointed by the enterprise.
Port Trust
- Created by an Act of Parliament. Consists of both elected and nominated members.
- To manage and protect the ports and to provide civic amenities.
Special Purpose Agency
- To undertake designated activities or specific functions. These are function-based, not area-based.
- Known as 'single purpose', 'uni-purpose' or 'special purpose' or 'functional local bodies'.
- Established as statutory bodies by an act of state legislature or as departments by an executive resolution.
- Function as an autonomous body and are not subordinate agencies to local municipal bodies.
3. Comparison: Types of Urban Local Bodies
| Type | Purpose | Establishment | Nature | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal Corporation | Big cities | State legislature / Parliament (UTs) | Elected | Municipal Commissioner (Chief Executive) |
| Municipality | Towns and smaller cities | State legislature | Elected | President/Chairman; CEO/CMO |
| Notified Area Committee | Fast developing towns | Notification by state government | Nominated | Neither statutory nor elected |
| Town Area Committee | Small towns | Act of state legislature | Elected/Nominated/Mixed | Flexible composition |
| Cantonment Board | Civilian population in cantonment areas | Cantonment Act, 2006 (Central Govt.) | Partly elected & partly nominated | Under Defence Ministry; Ex-officio President |
| Township | Staff and workers of public enterprises | Public enterprises | Nominated | Not elected; appointed by enterprise |
| Port Trust | Manage and protect ports | Act of Parliament | Elected + Nominated | Function-based (not area-based) |
| Special Purpose Agency | Designated specific functions | State legislature / Executive resolution | Autonomous | Function-based; not subordinate to municipal bodies |
4. Summary: Urban Local Bodies at a Glance
| Type | Key Feature | Establishment |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal Corporation | Big cities; Municipal Commissioner is chief executive | State legislature / Parliament (UTs) |
| Municipality | Towns; President/Chairman; CEO/CMO | State legislature |
| Notified Area Committee | Nominated body; neither statutory nor elected | Notification by state government |
| Town Area Committee | Small towns; flexible composition | Act of state legislature |
| Cantonment Board | Under Defence Ministry; Ex-officio President | Cantonment Act, 2006 (Central Govt.) |
| Township | Public enterprises; not elected | Public enterprises |
| Port Trust | Manage and protect ports | Act of Parliament |
| Special Purpose Agency | Function-based; autonomous | State legislature / Executive resolution |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- 74th Amendment (1992): Constitutional status to Urban Local Bodies — came into force: 1 June 1993
- Lord Ripon (1882): "Magna Carta" of local self-government — Father of local self-government in India
- First Municipal Corporation: Madras (1687-88) | Bombay & Calcutta (1726)
- Municipal Corporation: Big cities — Municipal Commissioner is chief executive
- Municipality: Towns — President/Chairman + CEO/CMO
- Cantonment Board: Under Defence Ministry — Cantonment Act, 2006 — Ex-officio President
- Notified Area Committee: Nominated — neither statutory nor elected
- Special Purpose Agency: Function-based (not area-based) — autonomous
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Urban Local Bodies)
Q1. The first municipal corporation in India was set up in which city?
Correct Answer: C. The first municipal corporation was set up in Madras in 1687-88, followed by Bombay and Calcutta in 1726.
Q2. Who is called the father of local self-government in India?
Correct Answer: B. Lord Ripon is called the father of local self-government in India. His Resolution of 1882 was hailed as the 'Magna Carta' of local self-government.
Q3. The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act came into force on:
Correct Answer: B. The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act came into force on 1 June 1993 during the prime ministership of P.V. Narasimha Rao.
Q4. The chief executive authority of a Municipal Corporation is:
Correct Answer: B. The Municipal Commissioner is the chief executive authority of the Municipal Corporation, appointed by the state government.
Q5. A Notified Area Committee is:
Correct Answer: C. A Notified Area Committee is an entirely nominated body created by a notification of the state government. It is neither a statutory body nor an elected body.
Q6. Cantonment Boards are under which ministry?
Correct Answer: C. Cantonment Boards are under the ambit of the Defence Ministry of the central government and are governed by the Cantonment Act, 2006.
Q7. The ex-officio President of a Cantonment Board is:
Correct Answer: B. The ex-officio President of a Cantonment Board is the military officer commanding the station.
Q8. Town Area Committees are set up for the administration of:
Correct Answer: B. Town Area Committees are set up by a separate act of the state legislature for the administration of small towns.
Q9. The Cantonments Act was passed by the Central legislature in:
Correct Answer: C. The Cantonments Act was passed by the Central legislature in 1924.
Q10. Lord Mayo's Resolution on financial decentralisation was released in which year?
Correct Answer: C. Lord Mayo's Resolution on financial decentralisation was released in 1870, putting forward the development of local self-government institutions.