Moving Towards Effective City Government: Niti Aayog Report

Source: News on Air

Context:

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar (MoHUA) released a strategic NITI Aayog report at the India Habitat Centre, focusing on reforming the governance of India’s 50+ million-plus cities to support a $30 trillion economy by 2047.

Summary

• Keywords: Million-plus Cities, 74th Amendment, Mayor-in-Council, Fiscal Autonomy, Unified Service Delivery, Viksit Bharat 2047.
• The Problem: India’s large cities suffer from “fragmented leadership” and “fiscal constraints.” Power is often split between state-controlled parastatals and weak municipal bodies, leading to poor accountability.
• The Vision: Transitioning from “Municipalities” (which act as agents of the state) to “City Governments” (which act as empowered, self-sufficient entities).
• Economic Impact: Million-plus cities are viewed as the primary engines of national growth, expected to contribute the bulk of the GDP in the coming decades.
• Key Pillars: Empowered leadership (Mayors), financial self-reliance (Municipal Bonds), and integrated urban utilities.

The “Principal-Agent” Problem in Urban India

To excel in UPSC (GS-2) and NABARD Grade-A, you must understand the conflict between State Governments and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

1. The Devolution Gap

While the 74th Constitutional Amendment (1992) suggested 18 functions be handed to cities, many states have not fully transferred these powers.

• The Issue: Vital services like water, fire services, and town planning are often still controlled by state-appointed bodies rather than the city’s elected Mayor.
• The Fix: NITI Aayog recommends a “Unified Command” where the Mayor-in-Council manages all local utilities under one roof.

2. Fiscal Federalism at the Local Level

Most Indian cities rely heavily on state and central grants.

• Own-Source Revenue (OSR): The report pushes for cities to improve property tax collection and “Value Capture Financing” (taxing the increase in land value caused by public infrastructure like Metros).
• Creditworthiness: By improving governance, cities can achieve better credit ratings, allowing them to issue Municipal Bonds to fund their own flyovers, parks, and sewage plants.

NITI Aayog’s Urban Framework

Key Exam Terms

• Million-plus City: A city with a population exceeding 10 lakh (1 million). India currently has over 50 such cities.
• Parastatal Agency: Semi-autonomous bodies (like DDA, BWSSB) that provide urban services but are often not accountable to the local elected government.
• Mayor-in-Council: A governance system where the Mayor and a small cabinet of councilors hold executive powers, similar to a state cabinet.
• Value Capture Financing (VCF): A mechanism where the government recovers some of the increased value of private land resulting from public infrastructure investments.
• 74th Amendment: The constitutional amendment that gave a mandate for democratic decentralization in urban areas.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Q1. According to the NITI Aayog report, what is the primary structural issue in Indian million-plus cities?

A) Excessive migration

B) Fragmented and weak leadership structures

C) Over-empowered Mayors

D) Lack of digital internet access

Q2. The report advocates for the “Mayor-in-Council” system. What is a key feature of this system?

A) The Mayor is appointed by the Governor.

B) The Mayor has no executive powers.

C) The Mayor and a cabinet hold executive authority for city decisions.

D) The Mayor must be a member of the State Legislative Assembly.

Q3. To improve financial autonomy, the report encourages cities to access funds through which instrument?

A) Personal Loans

B) Municipal Bonds

C) Gold Reserves

D) Direct Foreign Aid without Central approval

Q4. Which constitutional amendment provides the legal foundation for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in India?

A) 42nd Amendment

B) 73rd Amendment

C) 74th Amendment

D) 101st Amendment

Q5. What is the projected economic contribution target for India by 2047, which these urban reforms aim to support?

A) $5 Trillion

B) $10 Trillion

C) $30 Trillion

D) $50 Trillion

Answers:

Q1: B | Q2: C | Q3: B | Q4: C | Q5: C