| Introduction: Contextual Introduction Body: Highlight the role of 74 CA in urban governance and how it addresses various challenges Conclusion: Way forward |
The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA), enacted in 1992, marked a significant step toward empowering urban local bodies (ULBs) in India by formalizing their structure, functions, and autonomy.
Role of the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act in Urban Governance
- Constitutional Status for Urban Local Bodies: The 74th CAA granted constitutional status to municipalities, thus acknowledging their importance as the third tier of governance in urban areas. This empowerment aimed to reduce the excessive control of state governments over local bodies and promote local self-governance.
- Devolution of Powers and Responsibilities: The Act delineated the functional domain of ULBs through the 12th Schedule, listing 18 functions such as urban planning, regulation of land use, water supply, public health, and sanitation.
- Financial Empowerment: The Act required the establishment of State Finance Commissions (SFCs) to review and recommend measures for sharing financial resources between the state and local bodies, ensuring a steady flow of funds for municipal functions.
Addressing Infrastructural and Socio-Economic Challenges Through Decentralisation
- Responsive Urban Planning: Decentralisation allows urban local bodies to better understand and respond to the unique needs of their communities, resulting in more effective urban planning and infrastructure development. Local bodies can adopt flexible approaches suited to the specific demographic, environmental, and economic conditions of their areas, improving the relevance and sustainability of urban projects.
- Enhanced Public Services: With greater financial autonomy and responsibility, ULBs can enhance basic services like water supply, waste management, and public health. Decentralization promotes local innovation and experimentation, enabling solutions tailored to address traffic congestion, air pollution, and housing shortages.
- Inclusive Development: Ward Committees and public consultations enable marginalized communities to voice their needs and priorities, fostering inclusive socio-economic growth. Proximity to citizens enhances the accountability of ULBs, reducing corruption and mismanagement, and improving the quality of governance.
- Economic Empowerment: Urban local bodies can initiate local economic development programs that generate employment and skill development for urban residents. Decentralized governance encourages ULBs to mobilize local resources and investments, bolstering local economies and promoting sustainable urban infrastructure projects.
Conclusion
Indian cities face complex and interlinked challenges ranging from inadequate planning and climate vulnerabilities to socio-economic disparities and governance inefficiencies. Addressing these requires a comprehensive approach that leverages the potential of decentralization under the 74th Constitutional Amendment while ensuring inclusive and sustainable urban development.
