High-Power Committee Formed for Urban Governance Model
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in India has established a high-power committee to draft a model for urban governance. The committee, which includes Tikender Singh Pawar, a former Deputy Mayor of Shimla and environmental expert, is tasked with creating a framework for cities to aid in drafting a Model Municipal Act. This act will focus on urban planning, city governance, and sustainable development.
Committee’s Objectives and Challenges
The committee has three months to submit a report, but members, including Pawar, suggest a six-month timeline due to the task’s complexity. Pawar, also a member of the Kerala State Forest Commission, believes a longer period is necessary for comprehensive analysis. The committee will study global best practices to enhance citizen participation in urban governance, focusing on empowering local governance similar to systems in Kolkata and Bhopal.
Unique Needs and Public Involvement
The proposed model will consider the unique needs of each state, as urban development is a state subject in India. The committee will ensure the model promotes genuine public involvement in governance, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach. India has around 4,500 statutory cities and 5,000 census towns, some of which lack urban governance structures.
Committee Composition and Goals
The committee includes bureaucrats, experts from institutes like the National Institute of Urban Affairs, and organizations such as Praja Foundation. They aim to produce a model within three months, consulting with experienced officials and former Mayors. The goal is to empower the Mayor’s office and ensure meaningful citizen participation in governance.
Doubts Revealed
Tikender Singh Pawar -: Tikender Singh Pawar is a person who used to be the Deputy Mayor of Shimla, a city in India. A Deputy Mayor helps the Mayor in managing the city’s affairs.
High-Power Committee -: A High-Power Committee is a group of important and knowledgeable people chosen to work on a special task or project. In this case, they are working on improving how cities are managed in India.
Urban Governance -: Urban Governance refers to how cities are run and managed. It includes planning, organizing, and making decisions to ensure cities work well for the people living there.
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs -: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is a part of the Indian government. It is responsible for planning and developing cities and towns in India.
Model Municipal Act -: A Model Municipal Act is a set of rules and guidelines that can be used by cities to manage themselves better. It helps in making sure that cities are planned and governed efficiently.
Citizen Participation -: Citizen Participation means involving people who live in a city in the decision-making process. It ensures that the needs and opinions of the residents are considered when planning and managing the city.
Mayor’s Office -: The Mayor’s Office is the place where the Mayor works. The Mayor is the leader of a city and is responsible for making important decisions about how the city is run.
