Metropolitan Planning Committee: Origin, Functions, and Significance

PWOnlyIAS December 07, 2023 06:20 4773 0

The Metropolitan Planning Committee is a constitutional body under Article 243ZE (Part IX A) of the constitution, know about Its Origin, Functions, and Significance for the UPSC Exam.

Metropolitan Planning Committee: Origin, Functions, and Significance

Constitutional Mandate

Metropolitan Planning Committee is a constitutional body under Article 243ZE (Part IX A) of the constitution.

Origin

The creation of a Metropolitan Planning Committee is required in every metropolitan area having a population of at least one million or more people.
The State Assemblies of respective states have the power to create a Metropolitan Planning Committee. The State Assemblies can also decide on:
- The structure of these committees;
- Appointment of representatives to the committee;
- Representatives of National government, local and state governments on these committees;
- Work of these committees;
- Selection of the chairman of these committees;

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What are the functions of the Metropolitan Planning Committee?

Considering Proposals: The committee looks at the proposals given by the Municipal governments as well as Gram panchayat within the metropolitan region.
Identify Similar Interests: The committee looks to identify similar interests between the Municipal governments and Gram panchayats, ensuring synchronized spatial development plans of the region.
Goals and Priorities: It identifies cumulative goals and priorities set up by the state and central government.
Potential Investments: The committee scope of potential investments is expected to be implemented in the metropolitan region by state and central government agencies.
Working with Like-minded Organizations: The committee will engage with organizations and institutions as the Governor might specify.

What is the significance of the Metropolitan Planning Committee?

Planning Development: The Metropolitan Planning Committee drives the development and economic growth of the country through planning, execution, and cooperation.
Quality of Service: The Metropolitan Planning Committee is tasked with increasing the quality of services provided, including urban transportation, waste management, public health, and policy.
Democratic Institution: The committee is a high-level, democratically chosen entity that would help in the planning and implementation of the metropolitan region.
Handle Concerns: The committee handles common concerns affecting municipalities as well as the panchayats within the metro area.
Guidance: Local governments are given guidance on establishing development plans.
Reduce Overlapping Conflict: The committee carries out conflict management and the avoidance of overlap between the numerous agencies.

What are the drawbacks of the Metropolitan Planning Committee?

Limited Powers: Despite being a constitutional body it has limited powers. This is because state governments are reluctant to hand over their powers.
Resource Shortage: The committee has limited effectiveness because it lacks employees, funds, and executive powers.
Considering New Challenges: The Metropolitan Planning Committee has failed to address new challenges such as disaster risk management, transportation, housing, environmental degradation, etc.

Way forward

Competent Administration: A way has to be provided by the state legislature to provide competent administration by giving up some of its powers.
Mayoral Governance: The Indian municipal administration must target a Mayoral form of government in the future where the mayor is elected by the people.
A bridge between Other Bodies: The Municipal Planning Committee should act as a bridge between municipal governments and the state authority.

74th Amendment of the Constitution

Constitutional Provision: The structure for the Municipal Planning Committee was given by the 74th Amendment Act of 1992. The amendment gave powers and functions to the Municipal bodies at different levels.
- Articles 243-P to 243-ZG concern the provisions related to the Municipalities. Further, a new schedule, the 12th schedule was added, which contained 18 functional items of municipalities.
Local Bodies under the 12th Schedule:
- Nagar Panchayat (a transition area between rural and urban)
- Municipal Council (smaller urban area)
- Municipal Corporation (large urban area)
Powers and Functions:
- The state legislature may provide powers and responsibilities to the municipalities for preparing plans for economic development and social justice and for the implementation of schemes.
- A list of functions that may be given to the municipalities has been provided as the Twelfth Schedule of the Constitution.
Finances of Municipal Bodies:
- State legislatures can specify the Taxes, duties, fees, etc. which could be levied and collected by the Municipalities.
- The legislature can also specify Taxes, duties, fees, etc. which would be levied and collected by the State Government and a share passed on to the Municipalities.
- The legislatures can also specify the Grant-in-aid that would be given to the Municipalities.
Elections: The State Election Commission is tasked with superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections for urban local bodies.
Reservation of Seats:
- Reservation of seats for the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes in every municipality concerning their population;
- One-third reservation for women in total number of seats;
- The manner of reservation of offices of chairpersons in the municipalities for SCs, STs, and women is provided by the state legislature.
- The legislature can make reservations in the Municipality or offices of chairpersons in municipalities in favor of backward classes.
Term of Membership: Elections have to be held for municipal bodies every 5 years. In case of dissolution before the expiry of the term, a new municipality is to be constituted within a period of 6 months from the day of dissolution.

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Conclusion:

The Metropolitan Planning Committee can become an effective institution if it is given people, funds, as well as executive powers. It will further democratize decision-making at local levels.

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Metropolitan Planning Committee FAQs

Metropolitan Planning Committee is a constitutional body under Article 243ZE (Part IX A) of the constitution.

The State Assemblies of respective states have the power to create a Metropolitan Planning Committee.

The State Assemblies can also decide on: The structure of these committees; Appointment of representatives to the committee; Representatives of National government, local and state governments on these committees; Work of these committees; Selection of the chairman of these committees;

The Metropolitan Planning Committee is set up to provide planning and implementation for the whole metropolitan region and also acts as an intermediary between state governments and local governments.

Despite being a constitutional body it has limited powers. This is because state governments are reluctant to hand over their powers. The committee has limited effectiveness because it lacks employees, funds, and executive powers. The Metropolitan Planning Committee has failed to address new challenges such as disaster risk management, transportation, housing, environmental degradation etc.

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Metropolitan Planning Committee: Origin, Functions, and Significance

Constitutional Mandate

Origin

What are the functions of the Metropolitan Planning Committee?

What is the significance of the Metropolitan Planning Committee?

What are the drawbacks of the Metropolitan Planning Committee?

Way forward

Conclusion:

Metropolitan Planning Committee FAQs

What is the Metropolitan Planning Committee?

Who has the power to form the Metropolitan Planning Committee?

What are the other powers of the State Assemblies regarding the Metropolitan Planning Committee?

What is the main function of the Metropolitan Planning Committee?

What are the drawbacks of the Metropolitan Planning Committee?

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