1. The document discusses the evolution and structure of local self-government or urban local bodies (ULBs) in India. 2. Key aspects covered include the constitutional provisions for three types of municipalities, composition and authorities of ULBs like councils and commissioners, election process and reservations, functions of municipalities, and finances including sources of income. 3. It also briefly outlines the powers of municipal authorities and major problems faced by ULBs like lack of financial resources and poor governance.

1. ULB SELF GOVERNMENT
PREPARED BY CA RAKESH KUMAR THAKUR

2. Evolution of Local-self Government in India
1. Municipal Bodies have a long history in India
2. First Municipal Corporation was constituted for Madras city in
the year 1688
3. Later on, Municipal Corporations of Bombay and Calcutta were
constituted in the year 1726

3. Constitution of Municipalities
i. The Constitution of India (through 74th
Amendment) provides for three types of
municipalities with constitutional status
a. A Nagar Panchayat for a transitional
area, that is to say, an area in transition
from rural to urban
b. A Municipal Council for a smaller urban
area
c. A Municipal Corporation for a larger
urban area

4. Composition of ULBs
Criteria for fixation of strength : Population
Strength of ULBs
Nagar Panchayats /
Municipalities : 21 to 45 members
Municipal Corporations : 50 to 150 members
MPs, MLAs, MLCs are Ex-officio members

5. Municipal Authorities
A Council
A Chairperson
A Commissioner
A Ward Committee

6. Municipal Authorities
A Council
A Chairperson
A Commissioner
A Ward Committee

7. Division of Nagarpanchayats & Municipalities
into wards
• Municipality / Nagar panchayat divided into as many
single member wards as the number of elected members.
• Electoral Rolls: The electoral Roll for Assembly
Constituency shall be adopted as Electoral Roll for the
Municipality.

8. Election of Ward Members
i. Voters in each ward elect a member
ii. There is a provision of reservation
a. SCs and STs: As per the proportion of the population
of SCs and STs to the total population
b. BCs: One-third of the total members.
c. Women: one half of the total members including one
half of the reserved for SCs, STs and BCs
iii. Reservation is by rotation

9. Election of Chairperson
i. All ward members elect one of its elected members as
Chairperson.
ii. Ex-officio members also participate.
iii. There is provision for reservation.
a. SCs and STs: As per the proportion of the
population of SCs and STs in all municipalities to the
total population in all municipalities
b. BCs: One-third of the total number of Chairpersons
in the State.
c. Women: One half of the total number of
Chairpersons including one half of the reserved for
SCs, STs and BCs
iv. Rotation in reservation.

10. Conduct of Elections
• State Election Commission supervises the conduct of
municipal elections.
• Commissioner & Director of Municipal Administration is
the Election Authority (appointed by SEC).
• District Collector is the District Election Authority
(appointed by SEC).

11. Term of the Council
• Chairperson and Elected Councilors : Five years from
the date of first meeting of the Council.

12. Elections on party basis
• The election to the office of Chairperson and ward
members shall be conducted on party basis

13. Meetings of Municipal Council
• Council shall meet at least once in every two month
• Agenda for the meeting shall be prepared by the
Commissioner/CMO in consultation with Chairperson.
• Minutes of the proceedings at each meeting shall be
entered in minutes book and signed by the Chairperson.

14. Functions of Municipalities
1. Cleaning of streets, drains, removal of rubbish,
scavenging and solid waste management
2. Supply of protected water
3. Construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, cause
ways and culverts
4. Construction and maintenance of storm water and swage
water drains
5. Lighting of public streets (Street lighting)
6. Town planning – Zones and Building Regulations
7. Construction and maintenance of buildings
8. Public Health, control of malaria and other epidemic
diseases.
9. Prevention of Food Adulteration

15. Contd..
10. Maintenance of hospitals, maternity and child welfare
centers, dispensaries
11. Maintenance of Elementary & Secondary Schools
12. Registration of births and deaths
13. Provision of slaughter houses and markets
14. Maintenance of parks and play grounds
15. Slum improvement and Urban poverty alleviation
16. Implementation of urban development schemes
17. Maintenance of burial grounds
18. Urban forestry

16. Finances of Municipalities
Main sources of Income :
Taxes :
i. Property Tax
ii. Advertisement Tax
iii. Government have taken over levy and collection of
Profession Tax from 1987-88 and paying
compensation to the ULBs

17. Non-Taxes
i. Water Charges
ii. Fee from Markets and Slaughter Houses
iii. Rents from Commercial Complexes
iv. Building License Fee
v. Trade License Fee
vi. Betterment and development charges
vii. Encroachment Fee
viii. Contributions towards water supply connections

18. Assigned Revenues
i. Entertainment Tax : 90% of Entertainment Tax
collected by Commercial Tax Department is assigned
to ULBs on quarterly basis.
ii. Surcharge on stamp duty : Surcharge on Stamp
Duty is levied @ 2% of the value of the instrument by
Registration Department and 100% of the Surcharge
on Stamp Duty is allocated to ULBs on quarterly basis

19. Non-Plan Grants
i. Grants under 14th Finance Commission
ii. SBM Fund

20. Payment of salaries through Treasuries
i. Salaries and pensions of Municipal employees
including municipal teachers are paid through
Treasuries.
ii. Statutory and non-statutory grants are forgone by the
municipalities.

21. Powers and functions of Municipal
Authorities

22. Council Powers
i. Administration vests in the Council
ii. All public streets vests in the Council
iii. All vacant lands of Government shall vest in the
Council
iv. Sanction of works both original and maintenance
v. Sanction for purchase of all categories of materials
vi. Approval for acceptance of Tenders excluding tenders
to be settled by the Contract Committee
Approval of lay-outs
viii. Permission for construction of factories / workshops
ix. Lease of lands, shop rooms, buildings.
x. Fixation of fees for use of markets, for all licenses and
permissions granted under the Act

23. Role of District Collector in Municipal
Administration
• Competent to suspend a resolution, order, license,
permission or act of Municipal authorities.
• Competent to call for any document from Municipal
Commissioner.
• Powers of inspection of any work or immovable property.
• In cases of emergency direct the execution of any work
necessary for the safety of the public.

24. Municipal Authorities
1. Corporation
2. Standing Committee
3. Commissioner

25. Major problems faced by ULBs
i. Poor Governance
ii. Lack of sufficient financial resources
iii. Poor performance in solid waste management
iv. Inadequate drinking water supply
v. Environmental degradation
vi. Urban poverty