Overview on Administration of Municipalities

The framework and the administrative structure of Indian municipal corporations are heavily influenced by different resolutions taken under different British governors, namely Lord Mayo and Lord Ripon. The first municipal corporation was established in Madras, or modern-day Chennai. It was followed by two more municipal corporations in Mumbai and Kolkata. 

Role of Municipal Secretary

The municipal secretary plays a very important role in running the administration of the municipality. The municipal secretary is tasked with handling the finances, budget, and expenditure of the municipality. In India, a city is administered by a municipality if its population exceeds one billion. One of the major responsibilities of the municipality secretary is to collect taxes, as these taxes are the main sources of income for the municipalities. There are different types of taxes that the municipal secretary is tasked to collect, such as property taxes, water taxes, professional taxes, drainage taxes, etc., and sometimes the state government also funds the municipality budget. For example, BMC (a municipal corporation in Mumbai) is the richest municipality in the entire country and its budget exceeds the budgets of many small states. A municipal secretary is an IAS officer by profession who is chosen by the state government. Another key responsibility of the municipal secretary is to prepare policies for the municipal corporation and implement them. The executive role of the municipal secretary includes 1) urban planning 2) making plans for economic reforms and social development, 3) making plans for economic reforms and social development, 4) sanitation and water supply, 5) managing water supply for domestic, industrial, and commercial sites, 6) looking after the city’s solid waste management and public health, 7) managing fire stations and providing fire services to the city, 8) protecting the environment, promoting urban forestry, and other sustainable practices.

The Municipal System Act No. 32

The Municipal System Act No. 32 details the duties and responsibilities of the municipality, especially as it highlights the importance of providing sustainable and energy-efficient services to the city residents. It also requires the municipal corporations to manage their assets in an effective and transparent manner. A municipal corporation is an effective tool to uphold the idea of self-governance. The main emphasis is given to democratic governance, transparency, and financial management. 

Act No. 56 of 2003 on Municipal Finance Management

The main objective of the municipal finance management act of 2003 was to secure effective and transparent financial management for the municipal corporation. This act was effective in managing finance and municipal budgets in a sound and sustainable manner, and also in other financial matters of other institutions run and funded by the local governments. One of the key responsibilities of the municipal secretary is to manage the financial affairs of such institutions. The municipal finance management act of 2003 also states that the municipal corporation must establish treasury norms and such other financial benchmarks as the local or state government. According to this act, the municipality is responsible for handling and providing such other financial matters. The municipal secretary works as a link between the municipal council (the representatives who are elected by the residents of the city) and the administration. Apart from financial management, income, and assets, the municipal secretary is also responsible for maintaining certain obligations such as adherence to all the legislation applicable to the municipal corporation. The municipal secretary must ensure the foundation of an economically viable, functional and transparent administration in the organisation. The secretary also ensures that all the services are provided to the residents, the budget is maintained while providing services, and that rules and regulations are maintained.

Conclusion

Municipal corporations are one of the key foundations of the civil administration in India, and the main objective behind the establishment of these municipalities was to provide the residents with civic benefits and uphold the idea of self-governance and autonomy. The municipal secretary acts as a link between the elected council and the administration. The duties of municipal managers are very important as they present a picture of administrative duty in India. So, the aspirants must know these facts in detail as they are very important for different exams.