Chapter 12 Grassroots Democracy – Part 3 Local Government In Urban Areas

Introduction

In a democracy, good governance aims to empower citizens to actively participate at all levels – rural, urban, regional, state, and national. This concept is known as participatory democracy. Chapter 11 explored local governance in rural areas (the Panchayati Raj System); this chapter focuses on how it functions in urban areas.

Urban areas, such as cities, are generally more complex and diverse than villages or small towns. They have higher population densities, a greater variety of communities, occupations, infrastructure, and social dynamics. This complexity necessitates a more structured and sometimes more complex system of urban governance.

Understanding the Indian governance system involves looking at its structure from the local level upwards to the national level. The system can be visualized as a pyramid, with local government forming the base, closest to the people, and the national government at the apex.

Comparing the rural (Panchayati Raj) and urban local governance systems reveals similarities in their decentralized nature and the principle of citizen participation, but also differences in their structure and specific functions tailored to the distinct environments they govern.

Urban Local Bodies

In urban areas, the local government structures are collectively known as urban local bodies. These bodies are designed to be decentralized, meaning they operate at a local level with a degree of autonomy, allowing local communities to have a direct influence on the management and issues within their areas.

Cities and towns are typically divided into smaller administrative units called wards. Ward committees are formed within these wards to facilitate local activities and address issues relevant to the residents of that specific area. Their functions can include organizing local events, conducting health camps, running campaigns (like against single-use plastics), monitoring local infrastructure (water leaks, drains, roads), and reporting problems to the higher urban local body authorities. The specific functions and structure of ward committees can vary based on the rules set by individual states.

Types Of Urban Bodies

The structure of the highest urban local body in a city or town in India depends on the size of its population:

• Municipal Corporation (Mahanagar Nigam): This is the highest urban local body for large cities, typically those with a population of above 10 lakh (1 million). Example: Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, Greater Chennai Corporation.
• Municipal Council (Nagar Palika): This body governs cities and towns with a population generally ranging from 1 lakh to 10 lakh.
• Nagar Panchayat: This is the urban local body for towns with populations smaller than 1 lakh, typically those transitioning from rural to urban areas.

The Madras Corporation (now Greater Chennai Corporation), established in 1688, holds the distinction of being the oldest municipal institution in India.

Functions Of Urban Bodies

Urban local bodies are responsible for a wide range of essential services and functions that impact the daily lives of urban citizens. These include:

• Maintaining and developing urban infrastructure (roads, street lighting, public spaces).
• Managing sanitation and waste management (garbage collection, disposal, and segregation).
• Overseeing burial grounds and crematoria.
• Implementing various government schemes and welfare programs within the urban area.
• Collecting local taxes (e.g., property tax) and fines, which are a major source of funding for their activities.
• Planning for the economic and social development of the urban area.
• Providing specific civic services, such as water supply management, issuing various licenses (business, trade), managing fire services, handling public grievances (Citizen Relationship Management - CRM), and providing services on request (water tanker, debris clearance, etc.).

Urban local bodies fund their activities primarily through taxes (like property tax), fees for services, licenses, and grants from the State government.

Role Of Citizens

In a participatory democracy, the efficient functioning of urban local bodies also depends significantly on the active involvement and responsible actions of the citizens. Citizens have a duty to contribute to the well-being of their urban area.

Responsible citizen actions that support urban local bodies include:

• Active Participation: Engaging in ward committee meetings and local discussions.
• Following Rules: Adhering to rules set by the urban local body, such as waste segregation guidelines.
• Reporting Problems: Promptly reporting issues like water leaks, blocked drains, or damaged infrastructure to the authorities.
• Paying Taxes: Paying local taxes and fees on time.
• Maintaining Cleanliness: Contributing to maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings and public spaces.
• Conserving Resources: Being mindful of resource usage, like water and electricity.

Citizen participation and cooperation are essential for urban local bodies to effectively perform their functions and improve the quality of life in cities. For example, the recognition of Indore as the cleanest city in India is a testament to the combined efforts of the municipal corporation and its citizens.

Rural Vs Urban Local Governance

Similarities And Differences

Both the Panchayati Raj system in rural areas and the urban local bodies share the core principle of grassroots democracy and decentralized governance. They are structured to enable local populations to participate in decisions affecting their lives.

Similarities:

• Both systems involve elected representatives who are chosen by the local people to represent their interests.
• Both are designed to bring governance and decision-making closer to the citizens.
• Both have responsibilities for local development and addressing local issues, although the nature of issues (agricultural vs. civic urban) differs.
• Both rely on some degree of citizen participation for effective functioning.

Differences:

• Structure: The rural system (Panchayati Raj) is typically a three-tier structure (Gram Panchayat, Block Panchayat, Zila Parishad), while the urban system has different types of bodies based on population size (Nagar Panchayat, Municipal Council, Municipal Corporation).
• Population & Complexity: Urban areas have higher population density and greater socio-economic complexity, leading to more complex administrative needs compared to rural areas.
• Functions: The specific functions differ based on the environment. Rural bodies focus on agriculture, irrigation, village roads, etc., while urban bodies handle civic services like water supply, sanitation, garbage disposal, urban infrastructure, and licenses.
• Revenue Sources: While both collect local taxes/fees, the primary sources and scale differ (e.g., property tax, trade licenses being more significant in urban areas).
• Direct Participation: The Gram Sabha in the rural system provides a direct platform for all adult villagers to discuss and decide, which is a unique feature of direct democracy at the grassroots. While urban areas have ward committees and public consultations, the direct, all-encompassing assembly like the Gram Sabha is specific to the rural structure.

Community Participation In Both Contexts

The importance of community participation is a shared thread in both rural and urban local governance. In rural villages, this often manifests through collective efforts in agriculture or managing common resources, as seen in traditions like Halma. The Gram Sabha provides a formal space for direct community dialogue and decision-making.

In urban areas, community participation might involve residents' associations, volunteer groups addressing specific issues (like education or disaster relief), or citizens actively reporting civic problems. The dialogue between Sameer (from a village) and Anita (from a city) illustrates how community dynamics and civic engagement differ but are present in both settings. Sameer highlights direct participation and knowing neighbors in his village, while Anita points out community support during emergencies and the role of elected representatives in her city, concluding that while more complicated, the core idea of citizen involvement for collective well-being remains the same.

Both rural and urban local governments are vital for strengthening grassroots democracy and enabling citizens to contribute to the governance and development of their immediate surroundings.