Question Q.12GS2GS2

Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are pivotal to inclusive and efficient urban governance, yet they remain fiscally constrained and institutionally weak. Discuss.

Main Body

As Urban local bodies were institutionalized under 74th Amendment Act, but their functioning has been critiqued recently.

Significance of ULBs in governance (Urban):

1Inclusivity => (33I) mandatory observation to women => SC/ST observation => Participatory planning - inclusivity of direct population.

(II) (Efficiency) => broader accountability => directly by people => effective public service delivery => Ensure locally adoptable solution.

Challenges associated with ULBs:

Financial constraints:

1Dependency Syndrome of greater from (CSR) of funds from States and Centre => REC rapport.

2Low effectiveness in Open Source of Revenue generation (OSR) => DSR only contributes to 6.67 of GDP => Enacted meets - MOT, MGRT.

3Box is cel condition of (CAG) profit => Limited funds => Municipal debt also by (2007), (2013-2022).

Institutional weaknesses:

1Irregularities in election => Bengal elections since 2020.

2Displacement of role by para-stated agenda like (Smart Cities Advisory Forum).

3Limited capacity, and bureaucratic overden => Staffing autonomy limited (Svc Two term).

4Corporate law syndrome and usurpation => (Mini Shaukari Aiym comm.).

Measures to reform ULBs: Institutional strengthening in ULBs like in USA - City level Mayors => (RBL) - Recommends G4s based property taxes => (Vijay Kelkaran) => Extension of GST to local bodies => 3rd ARC => Encourages PPAs for effective governance.

214 words5 paragraphs

Conclusion

ULB empowerment is essential for effective governance, as decentralization isn't sharing power, but (Khosla Assembly)

15 words

Examiner score

1/10

Open original scan

Page 25

Topper

PRACHET

AIR 1932025

Subject & Paper

GS2GS2

Topic

Federal Structure - Functions, Responsibilities, Devolution of Powers and Finances

Local Self Government

Urban Local Bodies - Structure and Functions

Writing Stats

229

Total words

Paragraphs

analytical

Tone