Page 188 - SST Class 06
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Local Self-Government
in Urban Areas 28
q Urban institutions of the government q Nagar Panchayat
q Nagar Palika q Nagar Nigam
Introduction town or city depends on its size, nature and extent
of civic functions. At present, there are three types
Urban administration is different from the rural
of local self-government in urban areas—Nagar
administration. Urban areas require a vast network
of public services like sanitation, electricity and Panchayat, Nagar Palika and Nagar Nigam.
water supply. A better infrastructure regarding
drainage, roads, sub-ways is needed in urban areas NAGAR PANCHAYAT
that is according to their needs and requirements. A Nagar Panchayat is established for a village that
The most of the people of rural areas are engaged has grown in size and population, yet it is not as
in agricultural and allied occupations and the big as a town. In other words, a Nagar Panchayat
people of urban areas are engaged in production, is established in a transitional area which is
business, services etc. converting from rural to urban area, where it is not
appropriate to set up a Nagar Palika, yet which is
The urban areas comprise of less than one-third of
considered appropriate to set up an urban local
the total population of India, yet they are densely self-governing body.
populated. The population of a town increases
very rapidly on account of several factors. A town Whether an area is fit for setting up a Nagar
has many facilities which a village lacks; for Panchayat is decided on the basis of density of
example, higher education, good medical facilities population, the percentage of population engaged
etc. Many villagers come to towns in the morning in non-agricultural activities, revenue collection
for service or business and return in the evening. from the area and economic importance of the
Many of them decide to settle in towns area.
permanently. The migration of rural people to
Composition
urban areas is a chief cause of rising population in
towns, especially large cities. Since towns are A Nagar Panchayat is an elected body. The
number of members varies from place to place
densely populated, their needs are different from
those of villages. Their needs are larger because of which can be from 9 to 20. The area is divided
a larger population and they have also to meet the into as many wards as members have to be
elected. All citizens above the age of 18 years can
needs of the surrounding villages in many
respects. cast votes if they are registered on the electoral
rolls. Any citizen above the age of 21 years can
The local self-government in urban areas is contest elections. In addition to the elected
manifested according to the type of the area, such members, it also has nominated and ex-officio
as municipalities, municipal cooportion members.
cantonment boards, notified area committees,
town area committees etc. A Nagar Panchayat is constituted for a term of five
years, but it can be dissolved earlier if it is found
The nature of urban local self-government in a
incompetent or if it abuses its authority.
Contemporary Social Science-6
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