Municipalities & 74th Amendment — Set 10

Correct Answer: A. Article 243T

Article 243T provides for reservation of seats for women in municipalities, mandating not less than one-third of total seats. The reservation applies to directly elected seats and also to offices of chairpersons. This was a landmark provision empowering women in urban governance. Seats reserved for SC and ST are included within the one-third reservation for women.

Correct Answer: A. 18

The 12th Schedule contains 18 subjects that may be transferred to Urban Local Bodies by state legislation. These include urban planning, regulation of land use, public health, slum improvement, and urban poverty alleviation. The schedule was inserted by the 74th Constitutional Amendment of 1992. States are not obligated to transfer all 18 functions but must legislate on which functions to devolve.

Correct Answer: A. A generic term for urban local bodies including all three tiers of municipalities

Nagar Palika is a generic term referring to urban local bodies or municipalities under Part IX-A of the Constitution. It encompasses all three tiers: Nagar Panchayat, Municipal Council, and Municipal Corporation. The 74th Constitutional Amendment is commonly called the Nagarpalika Act. State laws define the specific types and powers of each category of nagarpalika.

Correct Answer: A. Above 1 lakh or as specified by state law

A Municipal Corporation is constituted for large urban areas; the exact population threshold is above 1 lakh or as specified by individual state laws. Most states require a significantly larger population before constituting a full Municipal Corporation. The 74th Amendment left these criteria to be defined by state legislatures. Municipal Corporations have broader powers and greater financial capacity than smaller urban bodies.

Correct Answer: A. Article 243-I read with 243-Y

Article 243-I mandates constitution of the State Finance Commission, while Article 243-Y extends this mandate to municipalities. The SFC reviews financial positions of both panchayats and municipalities every five years. It recommends the distribution of taxes, duties, tolls, and fees between the state government and local bodies. Its recommendations guide fiscal transfers to urban local bodies.

Correct Answer: A. Regulation of slaughterhouses and tanneries is the 12th function in the 12th Schedule

Regulation of slaughterhouses and tanneries is the 12th function listed in the 12th Schedule which municipalities may be empowered to regulate. This function relates to public health and sanitation, which are core responsibilities of urban local bodies. Proper regulation prevents disease and maintains environmental hygiene in urban areas. State legislatures decide whether to actually devolve this function to municipalities.

Correct Answer: A. Property tax is the primary own revenue source for most Municipal Corporations

Property tax is the primary own revenue source for most Municipal Corporations in India, contributing the largest share of their internally generated revenue. Municipalities levy property tax on all taxable properties within their jurisdiction based on annual rental value, capital value, or unit area value systems. Additional revenue comes from user charges, license fees, and grants from state and central governments. Financial health of municipalities is largely determined by efficient property tax collection.

Correct Answer: A. To consolidate plans of panchayats and municipalities in the district into an integrated development plan

The District Planning Committee is mandated under Article 243-ZD to consolidate the plans prepared by panchayats and municipalities in the district and prepare a draft development plan for the whole district. Four-fifths of the DPC members must be elected from elected members of panchayats and municipalities. The DPC provides a mechanism for integrated rural-urban planning at district level. However, DPCs remain non-functional in many states despite constitutional requirements.

Correct Answer: A. 74th Constitutional Amendment 1992

The 74th Constitutional Amendment introduced the Metropolitan Planning Committee under Article 243-ZE for metropolitan areas with a population of one million or more. The MPC prepares a development plan for the entire metropolitan area integrating plans of municipalities and panchayats within it. Two-thirds of its members should be elected from elected members of local bodies in the area. The MPC represents India's attempt to address cross-boundary metropolitan planning challenges.

Correct Answer: A. 12th Schedule

Fire services are listed as item number 8 in the 12th Schedule of the Constitution, which lists functions that may be transferred to Urban Local Bodies. The 74th Amendment inserted this Schedule. State governments decide whether to devolve fire services to municipalities or retain them at the state level. Large Municipal Corporations in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai operate their own well-equipped fire brigades.