District Planning Committees (DPCs) and Metropolitan Planning Committees (MPCs) are key institutions established under the Constitution of India to facilitate decentralized planning and ensure integrated development at the district and metropolitan levels, respectively.
- District Planning Committee (DPC):
Article 243ZD:
- Article 243ZD of the Constitution deals with the constitution of DPCs. It was inserted by the Seventy-Fourth Amendment Act, 1992.
- The article mandates the establishment of DPCs in every state to consolidate the plans prepared by the Panchayats and Municipalities in the district.
- DPCs are responsible for preparing a draft development plan for the district as a whole, taking into account the plans prepared by the Panchayats and Municipalities.
Functions of DPC:
- Consolidating the plans prepared by the Panchayats and Municipalities in the district.
- Drafting a development plan for the entire district, integrating the plans of all local bodies within the district.
- Ensuring that the development plan is consistent with the overall objectives of socio-economic development and environmental sustainability.
- Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC):
Article 243ZD:
- Article 243ZD of the Constitution also deals with the constitution of MPCs.
- It mandates the establishment of MPCs in metropolitan areas to prepare a draft development plan for the metropolitan area as a whole.
- The article aims to ensure integrated and coordinated planning for metropolitan regions to address the challenges of urbanization and promote sustainable development.
Functions of MPC:
- Preparation of a draft development plan for the entire metropolitan area, taking into account the plans prepared by the Municipalities and other local bodies within the metropolitan region.
- Coordination of planning activities related to land-use, infrastructure, transportation, and environmental management in the metropolitan area.
- Promotion of sustainable and inclusive development by addressing the socio-economic and environmental challenges faced by metropolitan regions.
Both DPCs and MPCs play crucial roles in promoting decentralized planning, ensuring effective coordination among various levels of government, and fostering sustainable development at the district and metropolitan levels, respectively. These committees aim to enhance local participation, optimize resource allocation, and address the diverse needs of urban and rural areas within their respective jurisdictions.