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We know that a Panchayat Raj is the governing body of a rural area classified into three types, namely Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zilla Parishad. As the area and population in an urban district are more, the needs of the area are different as well. Hence, to regulate an urban area, Urban Local Government Bodies are formed. They are further classified into Tehsil, Municipal Corporation, Municipality, and City Councils.
What is a Municipality?
A Municipality is an Urban Local Governing body of a district that has a total population of more than 1,00,000. In India, a Municipal Council, i.e. a Municipality, is a body that governs an urban area and is elected by the people of that area.
Unlike the Panchayat Raj system, which works in a tier system, a Municipality is a Local body that is responsible for itself for that particular area. Hence, the jurisdiction and the administration extend up to the area of the Municipality. This Urban Local Governing body was defined by the 74th Amendment Act of the Indian Constitution in 1992, where the 12th schedule was added.
Difference Between Municipality and Municipal Corporation
A municipal corporation is an urban governing body for a big district with a population of 10 lakh or more, while a municipality is a governing body for a smaller urban district with a population of 1,00,000 or more. Metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, etc., have a Municipal corporation for regulating the vast populations. Some towns with a population of less than 1,00,000 also got a municipality as they were on their way to transforming into an urban area. An easier way to remember is that bigger towns and smaller districts have a Municipality.
How does a Municipality Function?
The Municipality is alternatively called a Municipal Council, Nagar Palika, or Nagar Palika Parishad. The state government appoints a Chief Executive Officer of the Municipality who is responsible for the day-to-day administration.
The entire district under the Municipality is divided into smaller legislative units known as a ward. The people of the ward elect a councillor known as the municipal councillor, and all such councillors together make the Council. The Council is the Legislative and decision-making unit of the Municipality. The head of the council is called a President, or Chairman, followed by a Vice-president or a Vice-Chairman. All the meetings are conducted and presided over by the President.
Lastly, there is a standing committee that ensures the smooth working of the council by taking charge of different fields like Academics, healthcare, and public relations. The members of the standing committee are appointed by the state government.
The standing committee, the municipal councillor, and the President/Vice President form the Municipality office, which runs for a term of 5 years.
The Roles and Responsibilities of the Nagar Palika
A Nagar Palika is responsible for the welfare of its people. A Municipality handles numerous responsibilities like water management, constructing roads, and town planning. Here are a few other responsibilities of a Municipality:
Water Management
Development planning for socio-economic growth
Providing good healthcare
Maintaining cleanliness and ensuring good sanitation in public places
Looking after Waste management and garbage disposal
Building well-equipped marketplaces, gardens, play areas, and grounds.
Making sure all the elements of the society receive a proper education.
Looking after the less privileged members of society, including the physically and mentally challenged.
Having diligent Fire brigades
Drainage and Sewage regulation.
This and many more of the day-to-day requirements of the public come under the governance of a Municipality.
Survival Of the Municipality
The Municipality is a local self-governance body of any urban area that collects income tax from the people and uses that revenue to improve and maintain its urban population. The survival of the Municipality solely depends on many such different taxes and grants from the government, which is necessary for the Nagar Palika to function without any issues. Let us take a look at various income sources of the Municipality.
Various income tax was collected on property, automobiles, homes, Cinema, Water, and light.
In India, a toll is levied on every four-wheeler, which is an important part of the Municipality’s revenue.
Then comes the income from commercial places such as Resorts, places of tourist interests, Municipal properties, which are leased to the public, etc.
The State government gives out loans and grants if needed for any long pending essential project needed for the well-being of its people.
Both government and public sector employees pay a professional tax, deducted at a TDS source.
Conclusion
We now know that the Municipality is a local, urban governing body that looks after the welfare of the people in their area. For the smooth functioning of the Municipalities, we need equally responsible citizens of the society who make sure they are paying all the taxes, keeping their surroundings clean, using water cautiously and cooperating with their local Municipality.
