SS

SURAMYA SHARMAAIR 359· 2025

Question Q.12GS2GS2

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

Open scan (p.24)

Main Body

ULBs Urban Local Bodies were made justiciable under the 74th amendment act 1992. ULBs constitute elected bodies such as Municipalities, municipal corporations etc. ULBs: pivotal to inclusion and efficient governance. (1) Decentralized developmental approach by principle of subsidiarity (73rd ARC). (2) High public participation through election at grassroots. eg: Ward mano- (3) Local development planning eg: District development committee. Yet there are constraints: 1: Fiscally constrained: (1) Own revenue sources merely 59% of local revenue. (2) ULA revenue is just 0.42% of UDT. (BRICS countries6-8%). (3) Devolution dependency on states and Centre. (4) Nature of funds is tied and conditionalimpair functional autonomy. eg: 40% funds under (15th Finance Commission) need tied. II: Institutionally weak: Last Study: Indian municipal corporationhold ₹260 lakh (each municipality) bonds for development. (2) Most important functions are not devolved. eg: Planning for local area. (3) Parallel bodies so parallel bodieseg: town health bee groups in UP. (4) Functions centralization (NIH Aarog agus)eg: Bihar govt. legislationtake over.
5Gender governance as a sham. eg: Panchayat participated mistreat of people → women as stooge is heads. (6) Bureaucratic control and complexity. eg: Mayor is municipal commission intrudles. This calls for 6 following measures: → Devolution of united funds. → Allocate sources of income promotion → municipal bonds. → Move to compulsory functions (3rd ARC). → 16% income-right to ULBs Svaramakrishnacommitte. ULBs are the face of democratic governance and the need to 'parasdaya' is true sense.
249 words1 paragraphs

Topper

SURAMYA SHARMA

AIR 3592025

Subject & Paper

GS2GS2

Topic

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

Local Self Government

Urban Local Bodies - Structure and Fiscal Constraints

Writing Stats

249

Total words

1

Paragraphs

analytical

Tone