Municipalities & 74th Amendment — Set 6

Correct Answer: A. Rules framed under the Environment Protection Act requiring waste segregation at source and proper waste management

The Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 were notified under the Environment Protection Act to regulate municipal solid waste management in India. Key provisions include mandatory segregation of waste at source into wet (biodegradable), dry (recyclable), and domestic hazardous waste; ban on dumping of mixed waste; requirement for door-to-door collection; and responsibility of bulk waste generators to manage their waste. Urban local bodies are primary implementers of these rules. The rules replace the older Municipal Solid Waste Rules of 2000.

Correct Answer: A. Identifying, listing, and protecting historically significant buildings, precincts, and urban areas

Heritage conservation is an important function of urban local bodies, especially those with historically significant buildings and areas. Municipalities identify and list heritage structures and precincts, regulate alterations and developments near heritage sites, and provide incentives for private owners to maintain heritage buildings. Heritage committees within municipal corporations advise on conservation matters. The 12th Schedule to the Constitution includes regulation of land use and planning for economic and social development, under which heritage conservation falls as a municipal responsibility.

Correct Answer: A. Strategies to reduce excessive heat in urban areas through green infrastructure, cool pavements, and urban forests

Urban Heat Island (UHI) mitigation involves strategies to reduce the excessive temperatures in urban areas caused by the replacement of natural land cover with built surfaces. Mitigation strategies include increasing urban tree cover and green spaces, implementing green roofs and walls, using cool pavements with high reflectivity, water features, and urban forests. Building codes can mandate green roofs and energy-efficient designs. Smart city plans increasingly incorporate UHI mitigation measures as cities face increasing heat stress due to climate change. Municipalities play a key role in implementing UHI mitigation.

Correct Answer: A. Duration of municipalities - every municipality shall continue for 5 years unless dissolved earlier

Article 243U of the Constitution, added by the 74th Amendment, specifies the duration of municipalities. It provides that every municipality shall continue for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting unless sooner dissolved under any law for the time being in force relating to municipalities. The article also mandates that elections must be completed before the expiry of the term, and if dissolved, within six months of dissolution. This provision ensures continuity and democratic accountability of urban local bodies.

Correct Answer: A. A certification system that recognizes buildings designed to minimize environmental impact and save resources

Green Building certification in India is provided through systems like GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) developed by TERI and MNRE, and IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) LEED certification. Green buildings are designed to minimize energy and water use, reduce waste, use sustainable materials, and provide healthy indoor environments. Municipalities in some cities offer incentives like additional FAR for green buildings. Green building standards are increasingly being incorporated into building codes and development regulations for sustainable urban development.

Correct Answer: A. A centrally sponsored scheme for developing infrastructure in small and medium towns through JNNURM

UIDSSMT (Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns) was a component of JNNURM specifically targeting urban infrastructure development in small and medium towns not covered under the main mission. It provided central assistance for infrastructure projects like water supply, sewerage, roads, and drainage in these smaller urban centers. The scheme aimed to improve the quality of urban services and strengthen the governance capacity of smaller urban local bodies. It was replaced by AMRUT from 2015.

Correct Answer: A. A program where cities learn from each other's best practices in urban management and service delivery

Peer Learning Exchange in urban governance refers to structured programs and networks that enable cities and urban local bodies to learn from each other's best practices, innovations, and experiences in urban management, service delivery, and governance reform. Programs like National Urban Learning Platform (NULP), Sankalp, and various state-level knowledge sharing initiatives facilitate peer exchange. Smart Cities Mission has been particularly active in promoting peer learning among mission cities. Learning from successful examples like Surat's waste management or Indore's sanitation improves urban governance across India.

Correct Answer: A. Rules framed by municipalities to regulate construction activities ensuring safety, health and planned development

Building bye-laws are regulatory rules framed by urban local bodies under the authority of state municipal acts to control and regulate construction activities within their jurisdiction. They specify minimum plot sizes, setbacks, height restrictions, parking requirements, structural safety standards, fire safety norms, and accessibility requirements. Compliance with building bye-laws is required for obtaining building permission. Violations can lead to demolition notices or regularization penalties. Many ULBs have updated their bye-laws to comply with national building codes and to incorporate green building and accessibility standards.

Correct Answer: A. Small-scale local wastewater treatment systems serving individual buildings or neighborhoods as opposed to centralized sewage plants

Decentralized Wastewater Treatment (DWWT) refers to small-scale wastewater treatment systems installed at the building, cluster, or neighborhood level to treat sewage close to where it is generated, instead of transporting it to large centralized sewage treatment plants. DWWT systems include septic tanks, biofilters, constructed wetlands, and small-scale sewage treatment plants. They are especially useful in areas not connected to the centralized sewage network. Urban local bodies are increasingly promoting DWWT as a cost-effective approach to improve sanitation coverage.

Correct Answer: A. A statutory body for civil administration in military cantonment areas, functioning separately from civilian municipalities

A Cantonment Board is a statutory body established under the Cantonments Act 2006 (previously 1924) to provide civic amenities and manage civil administration in military cantonment areas. Unlike regular municipalities that are under the state government, Cantonment Boards are under the Ministry of Defence at the national level. They have elected civilian members alongside military representatives. Cantonment areas are governed by specific cantonment laws and are exempt from some state municipal laws. The 74th Amendment provisions for urban local bodies do not fully apply to Cantonment Boards.