Q. In the context of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in India, which of the following statements is/are correct with respect to “Ward Committees”?
1. The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act mandates State governments to establish Ward committees for all urban local bodies to ensure grassroot democracy.
2. As per the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA), only elected members of urban local bodies can become a member of ward committees.
3. The Chairperson of the Ward committee have to vacate his/her office, if he/she ceases to be a member of Ward committee.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Exp) Option d is the correct answer
All the members of Urban Local bodies shall be elected directly by the people of the municipal area. For this purpose, each municipal area shall be divided into territorial constituencies to be known as wards.
Statement 1 is incorrect: Article 243S added by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA) mandates State governments to establish Ward committees within the territorial area of municipalities having a population of three lakhs or more (not in all urban areas) to ensure grassroot democracy.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The 74th CAA provides that State legislatures may by law provide for the manner in which the seats in ward committees shall be filled. Thus, it varies from state to state as the Constitution gives discretion to states related to this matter.
Statement 3 is correct: The Chairperson of the Wards Committee shall be elected by the elected members of ward committees. The Chairperson will have to vacate his/ her office, if he/she ceases to be a member of the Wards Committee.
| Important Tips Functions of ward committees The municipal council will recognize the ward committee as its consultative body and communication channel on problems affecting the ward, including but not limited to: • representing the community on the compilation and implementation of the Integrated Development Plan; • ensuring a constructive and harmonious interaction between the municipality and the community; • attending to all matters that affect and benefit the community; • acting in the best interest of the community, and • ensuring active participation of the community in the municipality’s budgetary process. |
