Urban Administration - Long Answer Questions
A big organization that takes care of street lights, garbage collection, water supply, keeping streets and markets clean in big cities.
In smaller towns, the local body is called a Municipal Council (Nagar Palika).
The city is divided into different wards. From each ward, a Councillor is elected by the people. They make decisions for their ward/city.
Groups of Councillors who work together to decide and debate issues (e.g., Water Committee, Garbage gathering Committee).
The administrative head appointed by the government (not elected). He/She implements the decisions made by the Councillors.
People appointed by the government to help the Commissioner run the various departments (Health, Engineering, Revenue, etc.).
They collect taxes: Property tax (major source), water tax, education tax, tax on shops/hotels, and entertainment tax (movies).
Tax paid by people who own homes. The larger the house, the more the tax. It forms 25-30% of the money earned.
To save money, Commissioners hire private companies to collect and process garbage instead of government workers. This is called Sub-Contracting.
In 1994, Surat was very dirty. Garbage was not collected. Plague spread through air. Many died. This forced the administration to clean up. Surat is now one of the cleanest cities.
Running schools, hospitals, dispensaries, libraries, parks. Cleaning drains. Spraying medicines (mosquito control).
People can contact their Ward Councillor. For example, if dangerous electrical wires are hanging down.
The Ward Councillors meet and make a budget, and the money is spent according to this.
She was a retired official from the Corporation. Children broke a streetlight and went to ask her whom to pay. She explained how the Corporation works.
Uncollected garbage attracts dogs, rats, and flies. It spreads disease and smells bad. It makes neighborhoods unsafe for children.
She gathered women and went to the Ward Councillor's house to protest against the lack of garbage collection. She threatened to protest in front of the Corporation office.
The Commissioner and the administrative staff execute the decisions taken by the Councillors.
Yes, it is the duty of the Municipal Corporation to replace and maintain street lights.
Water department, garbage collection department, department to look after gardens, department to look after roads.
Before, workers did it. Now, sub-contracting is used. Workers of private companies have less safety/job security.
Urban Administration - Important Facts
Big cities have Municipal Corporations.
Small towns have Municipal Councils.
City is divided into Wards.
Ward Councillors are elected.
Commissioner is appointed by Government.
Administrative staff is appointed.
Councillors make decisions (policy).
Commissioner implements decisions (execution).
Property tax is a major revenue source.
Taxes are collected on water and amenities.
Education cess is a tax.
Malls and markets pay taxes.
Entertainment tax is paid on movie tickets.
Surat faced a Plague in 1994.
Surat is now a model clean city.
Cleanliness prevents diseases.
Gangabai protested for cleanliness.
Democracy allows protest against officials.
Sub-contracting is privatization of services.
Private workers often lack protective gear.
Rag pickers help in recycling.
Municipal Corporation runs schools.
It runs hospitals and dispensaries.
It maintains parks and gardens.
It manages drainage systems.
Garbage trucks collect waste.
Blue and Green dustbins segregate waste.
Citizens have a duty to keep cities clean.
Swachh Bharat Mission promotes cleanliness.
Pune Municipal Corporation is a big body.
Councillors meet to approve budgets.
Demands of wards are placed in meetings.
Street dogs are managed by the Corporation.
Birth and Death certificates are issued by it.
Building permissions are granted by it.
Fire brigade is managed by the city administration.
Illegal construction is checked.
Hawker zones are regulated.
Hoardings and ads pay tax to the city.
Octroi was a tax on goods entering the city.
Property tax rates depend on area/size.
Yasmin Khala explained the process.
Children learned about civic sense.
Local bodies bring government closer to people.
Urbanization increases pressure on cities.
Slums need special attention.
Public toilets are built by Corporation.
Water tankers supplied by Corporation.
Mosquito fogging prevents Dengue/Malaria.
City life depends on these services.
Urban Administration - Important Dates/Terms
Plague in Surat
Launch of Swachh Bharat Mission