Municipalities & 74th Amendment — Set 7

Correct Answer: A. Collecting and storing rainwater for use, reducing dependence on piped water and reducing urban flooding

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) involves collecting, storing, and using rainwater that falls on rooftops and other surfaces for various purposes including groundwater recharge, irrigation, and domestic use. In urban areas, RWH is important for reducing dependence on depleting groundwater and surface water sources, reducing urban flooding by reducing stormwater runoff, and recharging urban aquifers. Many municipalities have made rooftop RWH mandatory for new constructions above a certain size. States like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have active RWH mandates and incentives.

Correct Answer: A. Policies and programs to improve livelihoods, housing, and access to services for the urban poor

Urban Poverty Alleviation encompasses a range of policies and programs implemented by central, state, and local governments to improve the living conditions, livelihoods, and access to services of the urban poor. Key programs include DAY-NULM (livelihoods), PMAY-Urban (housing), NUHM (health), and Swachh Bharat Mission (sanitation). Urban local bodies play a crucial role in implementing these programs at the grassroots level. Addressing urban poverty requires integrated approaches including jobs, housing, education, health, and social protection.

Correct Answer: A. A technology framework to enable data sharing and interoperability of urban services across Indian cities

The National Urban Innovation Stack (NUIS) is a technology initiative by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to create an open, interoperable digital platform for urban services. NUIS aims to create shared data layers including a national urban data stack, a geo-referencing layer, and a urban services layer that can be used by all cities and urban local bodies. It promotes reuse of technology solutions across cities and enables data-driven urban governance. NUIS is part of India's broader Digital India initiative applied to urban areas.

Correct Answer: A. An approach to budgeting that examines the different impact of public expenditure on men and women in cities

Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) in urban local bodies involves analyzing and restructuring municipal budgets to ensure that expenditure addresses the different needs and priorities of women and men in the city. It involves earmarking funds for women-specific programs and infrastructure, analyzing how existing spending benefits different genders, and ensuring women's participation in budget preparation. Some municipalities have pioneered GRB by allocating a specific percentage of their budget for women-focused infrastructure like safe public spaces, street lighting, public toilets, and women's livelihood programs.

Correct Answer: A. National guidelines for preparing and implementing urban development plans across Indian cities

URDPFI Guidelines are national guidelines issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to provide a standardized framework for the preparation, formulation, and implementation of urban and regional development plans across India. They provide guidance on urban planning processes, plan content requirements, development control regulations, and plan implementation. The guidelines aim to ensure consistency in urban planning approaches across states while allowing for local adaptations. They are regularly updated to incorporate new concepts like transit-oriented development, climate resilience, and inclusive planning.

Correct Answer: A. Physical facilities like roads, water supply, drainage, parks, and public buildings maintained by municipalities

Civic infrastructure refers to the physical facilities, utilities, and public spaces that are essential for the functioning of an urban area and are typically provided and maintained by urban local bodies. This includes roads and footpaths, water supply systems, sewerage and drainage networks, parks and public spaces, street lighting, solid waste management facilities, and public buildings. Adequate civic infrastructure is fundamental to quality of life in cities. Municipal budgets are largely devoted to developing and maintaining civic infrastructure through property taxes, user charges, and grants.

Correct Answer: A. Reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women in municipalities

Article 243T, added by the 74th Amendment, provides for reservation of seats in municipalities for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population in the municipal area, and not less than one-third of seats for women (including those reserved for SC/ST). States may also provide reservation for backward classes. Reserved seats are allocated by rotation to different constituencies in the municipality. This provision ensures political representation of marginalized groups in urban governance.

Correct Answer: A. A scheme to preserve and develop heritage character of selected heritage cities through urban development

HRIDAY (Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana) was launched in 2015 to preserve and develop the rich cultural heritage of 12 selected heritage cities including Varanasi, Amritsar, Ajmer, Mathura, Gaya, Kanchipuram, Vellankanni, Badami, Puri, Amaravati, Dwarka, and Warangal. The scheme focuses on holistic development of the core heritage infrastructure, improved public amenities for pilgrims and tourists, and efficient municipal services. It integrates heritage conservation with urban development and is implemented through municipalities.

Correct Answer: A. The law governing the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, providing its structure, powers, and functions

The Delhi Municipal Corporation Act 1957 (amended as DMC Act) is the principal law governing the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). It was later amended and restructured under the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act 2022 which merged the three previously divided corporations (North, South, and East Delhi) back into a unified MCD. The Act specifies the composition, powers, functions, revenue sources, and procedures of the MCD. Delhi, being a Union Territory, has its municipal laws enacted by the Parliament rather than a state legislature.

Correct Answer: A. Allowing more than one type of use (residential, commercial, recreational) in the same building or area

Mixed Land Use refers to an urban planning approach where multiple types of land uses—residential, commercial, office, recreational, and sometimes light industrial—are permitted within the same building or neighborhood. Mixed use development creates vibrant, walkable neighborhoods where residents can access daily needs without long commutes. It reduces the need for car travel, promotes 24-hour activity in urban areas, and leads to more efficient use of urban land and infrastructure. Many Indian cities are revising their zoning regulations to permit greater mixed use development.