Urban Local Governance in India

Source: This post on Urban local governance in India is based on article “The missing spotlight on urban local government polls” published in The Hindu on 13^th December 2024.

UPSC Syllabus topic: GS 2- Polity – Devolution of Powers and Finances up to Local Levels and Challenges Therein.

Context: The article highlights the critical yet often overlooked issue of elections for Urban Local Governments (ULGs). It contextualizes the importance of these elections as a pillar of local self-governance under the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA) of 1992.

Why was the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA) enacted?

1. The 74th CAA, introduced in 1992, was meant to codify the role of ULGs in local governance. However, even after three decades, its objectives remain unmet.
2. ULGs are decentralised local self-governance institutions responsible for providing civic services and ensuring citizens’ quality of life.
3. They serve as the first point of contact for urban residents.

Has the ONOE discourse addressed ULG elections?

1. No, ONOE discussions have mostly excluded ULG elections.
2. Reports like the 79th Standing Committee report (2015) and NITI Aayog’s discussion paper (2017) omitted ULG elections, citing their status as State subjects and logistical challenges due to the large number of such bodies.

What does the High-Level Committee (HLC) suggest?

In a departure, the HLC recommended synchronising ULG elections within 100 days of Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections. The government accepted this recommendation in 2024, marking an important step.

How significant are ULGs in India’s governance and economy?

ULGs govern 4,800+ cities, serving nearly 40% of the population, a figure projected to exceed 50% by 2050. Cities contribute over 60% to India’s GDP, underscoring their importance in driving economic growth and social well-being.

Why is it vital to ensure regular ULG elections?

Regular elections ensure democratically elected governments that can address local needs effectively, strengthen accountability, and uphold the constitutional principle of decentralisation.

What Challenges Exist in Conducting Timely ULG Elections?

1. A 2024 CAG report found that over 60% of ULGs experienced delays in elections, sometimes spanning several years. These delays lead to State governments taking direct control, which undermines local democracy.
2. Delayed elections weaken citizen representation, reduce accountability, and leave ULGs under administrative control, bypassing the electorate’s mandate.
3. Delays persist even after elections. For example, in Karnataka, councils took an average of 11 months to form after election results, effectively disempowering elected representatives.
4. Delays are often linked to ward delimitation, court cases over reservations, and the involvement of State governments in politically sensitive areas.

What role do SECs play, and why are they disempowered?

SECs, responsible for conducting ULG elections, often lack authority over key processes like ward delimitation. Only 4 of 15 States assessed by the CAG empowered their SECs in this regard.

Why is empowering SECs necessary?
Empowering SECs ensures independence in managing elections and avoids delays caused by administrative and political interference.

What has been proposed to improve ULG elections?

1. The HLC recommended synchronising ULG polls with other elections and empowering SECs to handle delimitation and reservations.
2. The government plans to form an implementation group to act on HLC recommendations and conduct nationwide consultations to refine ULG election processes.
3. With cities becoming critical to India’s growth, ensuring robust, timely, and accountable local governance is crucial for sustainable development.