Municipal council (India)

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In India, a Municipal Council, municipality, Nagar Palika, Nagar Palika Parishad is an Urban Local Body that administers a city of population 100,000 or more. However, there are exceptions to that, as previously Nagar Palikas were constituted in urban centers with populations over 20,000, so all the urban bodies which were previously classified as Nagar Palikas even if their population was under 100,000. Under the Panchayati Raj system. It interacts directly with the state government, though it is administratively part of the district it is located in. Generally, smaller district cities and bigger towns have a Nagar Palika.

Nagar Palikas are also a form of local self-government entrusted with some duties and responsibilities, as enshrined in the Constitutional (74th Amendment) Act, 1993. Under Article 243Q, it became obligatory for every state to constitute such units.

The 74th amendment made the provisions relating to urban local governments (Nagarpalikas).[1]

Three tier structure:

Composition[edit]

The members of the Nagar Palika are elected representatives for a term of five years. The town is divided into wards according to population, and representatives are elected from each ward separately. The members elect a president among themselves to preside over and conduct meetings. Employees of the state government of India, including Chief Officer, Town Planning Engineer, Auditor, Sanitary Inspector, Medical Officer for Health, and Education Officer, among many others, who come from the state public services, are appointed to handle the administrative affairs of the Nagar Palika.

Organisational hierarchy

Functions[edit]

The Nagar Palika is responsible for

Sources of income[edit]

A steady and adequate supply of funds is essential for the smooth running of all these programmes. The various sources of income of municipal bodies are:

  • The income from taxes, including on houses, entertainment, electricity, water tax (in certain cities), vehicles, property, and land
  • Toll tax is the most important income of a municipality. All commercial vehicles may receive toll taxes, except auto rickshaw.
  • Income is also generated from commercial activities like hotels, tourist centers, renting and sale of municipal property, and education cess.
  • Financial grants from the state government are a major source of income for all municipal bodies. Loans are also provided if special projects are undertaken for citizens' welfare.
  • Professional tax collection from all the employers, i.e. government and private sectors

See also[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. "India Constitution at Work" (PDF). National Council of Educational Research and Training. 20 January 2015. Archived from the original on 29 November 2015.
  • Our Civic Life (Civics and Administration) - Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook Production and Curriculum Research, Pune


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