Empowering Urban Governments – UPSC GS2

Local governments played a great role in combating the pandemic, but this has now worsened their economic situation.

Functional autonomy of civic bodies must increase and governance structures should be strengthened.

National Commission on Urbanisation with Charles Correa as Chairperson was constituted in 1980s.

74th Amendment Act empowered urban local bodies to perform 18 functions listed in the 12th schedule.

Some states like Kerala adopted a people’s plan model where 40% of the state’s budget was for local bodies.

Cities are treated as an extension of State governments with very limited freedom.

73rd and 74th amendment act gave no mention of financial empowerment.

Octroi was a significant means of city finances. But this was taken away by the state and central governments. Finance commission recommended grants to local bodies based on the formula of demographic profile. While earlier 55% of revenue was met by octroi, now grants cover only 15% of the expenditure.

Goods and services tax now have completely reduced the city’s capacity to tax and finance themselves.

A committee under the ministry of housing and urban development had earlier recommended 10% of income tax flows should be directed to cities. But this was not implemented. The government should implement the recommendation.

City should be treated as the centre of governance with a focus on transparency and participation of the people.

Cities should be made climate-resilient by incorporating climate change into the development plan.

Focus should be on enabling residents to drop plans and make them part of decision-making.

Leadership in the cities must be elected for five-year terms.