By Shashikant Nishant Sharma
The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 was a landmark reform in India’s urban governance landscape. It provided constitutional status to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) like Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayats, recognizing them as the third tier of government.
The 12th Schedule of the Constitution, added through this amendment, lists 18 functional items that Municipalities are responsible for. These functions ensure a decentralized, participatory, and efficient framework for urban governance.
🔰 Overview of the 18 Functions in the 12th Schedule
1. Urban Planning Including Town Planning
Urban planning involves formulating land-use policies, zoning regulations, master plans, and development control to guide the orderly growth of urban areas. ULBs play a pivotal role in preparing and implementing Development Plans and Town Planning Schemes in alignment with state-level urban policy.
2. Regulation of Land Use and Construction of Buildings
Municipalities regulate building permits, enforce development control norms, ensure adherence to zoning regulations, and prevent unauthorized constructions. This ensures planned development, safety, and optimized land use.
3. Planning for Economic and Social Development
ULBs contribute to local economic development by supporting markets, industries, and small businesses, while also implementing welfare programs in health, education, housing, and skill development to address urban poverty and inequality.
4. Roads and Bridges
Maintenance, construction, and widening of municipal roads, flyovers, footpaths, and bridges fall under the municipality’s domain. They ensure connectivity, road safety, and traffic decongestion within city limits.
5. Water Supply for Domestic, Industrial, and Commercial Purposes
Municipalities manage water sourcing, treatment, and distribution. They ensure equitable access to potable water and promote water conservation, leak management, and metering systems.
6. Public Health, Sanitation, Conservancy, and Solid Waste Management
ULBs oversee disease control, public health campaigns, sanitation drives, street cleaning, and integrated solid waste management. Effective service delivery in this function is crucial for urban hygiene and environmental health.
7. Fire Services
Fire safety is a municipal mandate, involving provision of fire stations, emergency response teams, fire-fighting infrastructure, and regulatory checks for fire compliance in buildings and public spaces.
8. Urban Forestry, Protection of the Environment, and Promotion of Ecological Aspects
Municipalities are expected to implement urban greening programs, manage green belts and biodiversity parks, and enforce environmental regulations like air and noise pollution control.
9. Safeguarding the Interests of Weaker Sections of Society Including the Handicapped and Mentally Retarded
ULBs must ensure inclusive policies that support vulnerable groups through social housing, accessible infrastructure, education, and special assistance programs.
10. Slum Improvement and Upgradation
A key function of ULBs is improving the quality of life in urban slums by providing basic services, upgrading housing, implementing in-situ redevelopment projects, and promoting livelihood opportunities.
11. Urban Poverty Alleviation
Municipalities run programs like skill development, self-employment schemes, microfinance, shelter homes, and targeted subsidies for urban poor, often under centrally or state sponsored schemes like NULM.
12. Provision of Urban Amenities and Facilities such as Parks, Gardens, Playgrounds
Recreational infrastructure like parks and playgrounds enhances urban livability. ULBs are tasked with creating and maintaining these public spaces for community health and well-being.
13. Promotion of Cultural, Educational, and Aesthetic Aspects
ULBs support the arts, preserve heritage sites, and organize cultural events. They also promote urban aesthetics through design guidelines and beautification projects.
14. Burials and Burial Grounds; Cremations, Cremation Grounds; and Electric Crematoriums
ULBs are responsible for the management of public burial and cremation facilities, including upkeep, hygiene, and promoting eco-friendly alternatives like electric crematoriums.
15. Cattle Pounds; Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Municipalities manage cattle pounds, enforce regulations against stray animals, and work with NGOs to promote animal welfare and sterilization programs.
16. Vital Statistics Including Registration of Births and Deaths
The registration of births, deaths, and marriages is a legal function of municipalities, which also act as custodians of this crucial demographic data.
17. Public Amenities Including Street Lighting, Parking Lots, Bus Stops, and Public Conveniences
ULBs ensure the provision and maintenance of basic civic infrastructure that supports mobility and public hygiene, especially in crowded urban environments.
18. Regulation of Slaughter Houses and Tanneries
Municipalities regulate these units to ensure hygiene, compliance with environmental laws, and humane practices, along with zoning to prevent nuisance in residential areas.
🏙️ Conclusion: A Pillar of Decentralized Urban Governance
The 12th Schedule empowers Urban Local Bodies to function as effective self-governing institutions. However, success depends on financial devolution, technical capacity, and accountability mechanisms. As Indian cities face rapid urbanization, fulfilling these 18 functions through participatory and sustainable governance models is essential to build inclusive, resilient, and liveable urban futures.
References
Datta, A. (1994). Institutional aspects of urban governance in India. Indian Journal of Public Administration, 40(4), 616-632.
Idiculla, M. (2023). The Travails of Urban Planning in India: An Examination of the Planning Law Regime of Bangalore. The Chinese Journal of Comparative Law, 11(1), cxad002.
Kumbhar, S. Urban Governance in India. Constitutional Government and Democracy in India| For UG, PG & aspirants of State and Civil Service Exams| By Pearson, 311.
Kundu, D. (2020). Urbanisation in India: Towards a national urban policy framework and smart cities. Developing National Urban Policies: Ways Forward to Green and Smart Cities, 89-119.
Rao, P. S. N. Urban Decentralisation and Regional Planning in India: Negotiating State-Local Relations.
Sivaramakrishnan, K. C. (2013). Revisiting the 74th Constitutional Amendment for better metropolitan governance. Economic and Political Weekly, 86-94.
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