Strengthening urban local bodies

It is 17 years since the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act was enacted and devolution of powers to urban local bodies made mandatory. Going by the recent advisory sent to States by the Union Ministry of Urban Development, the task of strengthening urban local bodies has not been accomplished, particularly in the realm of physical planning. The Twelfth Schedule of the Constitution lists 18 functions, including urban planning, that must be entrusted to the local bodies. The objective of empowering local bodies to take charge of planning the areas they manage has not been realised even in the case of metropolitan areas. Barring Kolkata and Mumbai, none of the other 33 metropolitan cities has constituted the Metropolitan Planning Committee mandated by the 74th Amendment. These large cities have grown beyond their boundaries and have a vital impact on adjacent areas. Although institutions such as the Metropolitan Development Authority have been constituted in different cities to address these regional issues, they are severely limited in ensuring adequate local representation in the planning process. The Metropolitan Planning Committee, with two-thirds of its members elected by and from the elected members of local bodies of the region, could be an effective answer to the problem.



These committees ensure that the priorities of the urban local bodies within the region are factored into the development plan. While this is a necessary first step, further measures must be adopted to strengthen local bodies as institutions of local self-government. The committee formulates the plan; the responsibility of implementing and micro-managing it vests with the local bodies. While the committee is assisted by the technically competent development authority, such support does not exist at the local body level. Such technical support must be provided as a matter of priority. In this context, the Wards Committees at the local level must be empowered to participate in the planning process. Studies have repeatedly made the point that while the 74th Amendment has rightfully devolved several functions to the local bodies, it has not helped them gain commensurate resources and capabilities to perform the functions. Despite their resource base and potential, the local bodies remain dependent on the State government. Financial autonomy combined with transparency and scrupulous respect for federal principles is the imperative if good governance is to be assured.