Urban Local Bodies

74th Amendment Act (1992)

• In force from 1 June 1993. Added Part IXA (Arts 243P to 243ZG) and the Twelfth Schedule (18 subjects).
• Three types of municipalities:
  • Nagar Panchayat for a transitional area.
  • Municipal Council for a smaller urban area.
  • Municipal Corporation for a larger urban area.
• Direct elections. Seats reserved for SCs, STs and not less than one-third for women.
• Term: five years. Elections within 6 months of dissolution.
• Ward Committees in towns with population above 3 lakh (Art 243S).
• District Planning Committee (Art 243ZD) and Metropolitan Planning Committee (Art 243ZE).

Other forms of urban bodies

Cantonment Boards, Town Area Committees, Notified Area Committees, Township, Port Trust and Special Purpose Agency.

History

• 1688: first municipal corporation in Madras.
• Lord Ripon's Resolution (1882): the "Magna Carta of local self-government". Lord Ripon is called the "Father of local self-government in India".
• Local government is a State subject (Entry 5, List II).

Panchayats and Municipalities compared