Q19.The states in India seem reluctant to empower urban local bodies both functionally as well as financially. Comment.

The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act aimed at decentralizing power to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). However, states often show reluctance in empowering them functionally and financially, hindering effective urban governance.

Reasons for State Reluctance

• Functional: States retain 12th Schedule subjects, create parallel bodies, and lack clear responsibility demarcation, undermining ULB autonomy.
• Financial: ULBs depend on state grants, limited tax powers (e.g., property tax), and ignored State Finance Commission recommendations.
• Underlying: Reluctance stems from lack of political will, fear of control/patronage, and bureaucratic inertia.

Consequences and Way Forward

• Consequences: Leads to poor urban service delivery, weak accountability, limited local democracy, and inability to address urban challenges.
• Way Forward: Requires clear devolution of 12th Schedule subjects, strengthening State Finance Commissions, enhancing revenue, capacity building, and political commitment.

Strong, empowered ULBs are crucial for responsive governance and sustainable urban development, necessitating a paradigm shift in state-local relations.