Nagar Palika
Nagar Palika
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, 1992. 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:
Municipal corporations
Municipal councils
Nagar panchayats
Composition
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.
Functions
The Nagar Palika is responsible for
Water supply
Hospitals
Roads
Street lighting
Drainage
Fire brigade
Market places
Records of births and deaths
Solid waste management
Maintaining gardens, parks and playgrounds
Providing education to unprivileged children
Sources of income
A steady and adequate supply of funds is essential for 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 centres, renting and sale of municipal property, and education cess.
Financial grants from 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
Municipal governance in India
Sources
Our Civic Life (Civics and Administration) - Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook Production and Curriculum Research, Pune