How are Municipal Corporations established in the Union Territories of India?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT-I Official Paper (Held On: 06 Jun, 2025 Shift 3)

Answer 1

The correct answer is By an Act of Parliament.

Key Points

Municipal Corporations in Union Territories (UTs) are established through Acts passed by the Parliament of India, as UTs are governed directly by the Central Government.
Unlike states, which have their own legislative assemblies, Union Territories are administered by the President of India through appointed administrators.
The Parliament enacts laws to create and regulate municipal corporations in UTs, ensuring they fulfill the functions of urban local governance.
For example, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) operates under the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994, passed by Parliament.
This framework ensures consistency and uniformity in governance across UTs, considering their unique administrative structures.

Additional Information

Municipal Corporation:
- It is a form of urban local government that governs cities with a population exceeding 1 million.
- Municipal corporations are responsible for providing civic amenities such as water supply, waste management, roads, and public health services.
- They are governed by elected representatives (councillors) and an appointed municipal commissioner.
Union Territories:
- Union Territories are regions in India directly governed by the Central Government.
- Currently, India has 8 Union Territories, including Delhi, Chandigarh, and Puducherry.
- Some UTs, like Delhi and Puducherry, have partial statehood with legislative assemblies.
New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC):
- The NDMC is a municipal council governing the central area of New Delhi.
- It was constituted under the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994, passed by Parliament.
- The council is chaired by a government-appointed officer, typically an IAS officer.
Constitutional Provisions:
- The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, provides the framework for urban local governance in India.
- However, in Union Territories, Parliament has the authority to legislate municipal laws under Article 239 of the Constitution.