The evolution and recommendations of committees for municipalities in India have been instrumental in shaping urban governance and administration.
- Setting the Context:
- Historically, urban governance in India faced challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, insufficient service delivery, and poor governance structures.
- In the pre-independence era, municipalities were primarily under the control of colonial administrators, with limited participation from local residents.
- Post-Independence Reforms:
- After independence, there was a push towards decentralization and strengthening local governance institutions, including municipalities.
- Several committees and commissions were constituted to study the issues related to urban governance and make recommendations for reforms.
- Balwantrai Mehta Committee (1957):
- One of the earliest committees formed to recommend reforms in local governance was the Balwantrai Mehta Committee.
- The committee recommended the establishment of a three-tier Panchayati Raj system, with Gram Panchayats at the village level, Panchayat Samitis at the block level, and Zila Parishads at the district level.
- While this committee primarily focused on rural governance, its recommendations laid the foundation for subsequent reforms in urban areas as well.
- Sarkaria Commission (1983):
- The Sarkaria Commission was appointed to review the working of the Constitution and make recommendations for changes.
- While its primary focus was on center-state relations, it also made recommendations for strengthening urban local bodies, including municipalities.
- The commission recommended measures to enhance the financial autonomy, functional powers, and administrative efficiency of municipalities.
- 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (1992):
- The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, also known as the Nagarpalika Act, was a landmark legislation aimed at strengthening urban governance.
- It provided constitutional status to municipalities and outlined their structure, functions, and powers.
- The Act mandated the establishment of committees such as Ward Committees, Metropolitan Planning Committees, and District Planning Committees to ensure citizen participation, urban planning, and coordination between various levels of government.
- Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM):
- The JNNURM was launched in 2005 by the Government of India to address the challenges of urbanization and improve urban infrastructure and governance.
- It emphasized the importance of urban reforms, including the restructuring of municipal bodies, financial reforms, and capacity building.
- Under the mission, cities were required to undertake reforms as a condition for receiving central funding for urban projects.
- Subsequent Reforms:
- Since the JNNURM, several other initiatives and committees have been formed to address the evolving needs of urban governance.
- These include initiatives like the Smart Cities Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), and recommendations from committees like the High-Powered Expert Committee on Urban Infrastructure and Services (HPEC).
Overall, the evolution of recommendations from various committees and commissions has played a crucial role in shaping urban governance in India. These recommendations have focused on enhancing citizen participation, strengthening institutional mechanisms, improving service delivery, and ensuring sustainable urban development.
