Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are pivotal to inclusive and efficient urban governance, yet they remain fiscally constrained and institutionally weak. Analyse.

"Local self-government are the bedrock of democracy. They are the training grounds for citizens and nursery of democracy." - Lord Ripon (Father of local self-government in India) ULBs are pivotal to inclusive and efficient urban governance: 1) Cater to growing needs: as per NIT Aayog, India's urban population will reach 50% by 2050. 2) Respond to emergencies and disasters (eg.) Role of TMC's Chennai Municipal Corporation during Chennai Floods 2015. 3) Provision of essential basic facilities to citizens (eg.) Public toilets, Urban food and shelter drives for poor 4) Role in development → Infrastructure creation → Transport facilities (eg.) 240 km DT Metro Rail lines have been laid across country PTB 5) Accessibility to welfare schemes and development initiatives (eg.) NFGA, FDS shops, Ramps, lifts for disabled. But they remain: A Fiscally Constrained: 1) Revenue Tax ratio = 0.15% of GDP (1% for OECD nations) 2) As per IOP, 1 & end Bn) is used for ULBs by 2030 in India 3) lack of accountability from CFCs, delayed submissions, vacancies etc. B Institutionally weak: 1) 37% vacancies (NIT Aayog Report) in ULBs 2) lack of devolution of subject (eg.) only 3 subject devolved to BMC. 3) Political Influence 4) Indirectly elected Mayor Way Ahead: 1) 2nd ARC: directly elected Mayor 2) RBI Report: 10% of estimate revenue collection devoted to ULBs. 3) Municipal bonds. Moreover People's Plan campaign of Kerala can be a best practice to achieve BDCs-II.

— MADHVENDRA PRATAP SINGH · AIR 153