How many functional items have been placed within the purview of municipalities in the Twelfth Schedule of the Indian Constitution?

The correct answer is 18.

Key Points

• The Twelfth Schedule was added to the Indian Constitution through the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992.
• It lists 18 functional items that fall under the purview of municipalities.
• The items include urban planning, regulation of land use, water supply, public health, sanitation, urban forestry, slum improvement, and poverty alleviation among others.
• This schedule aims to empower municipalities to ensure decentralized governance and efficient delivery of public services.
• The 18 items in the Twelfth Schedule are specifically mentioned under Article 243W of the Indian Constitution.

Additional Information

• Municipalities:
  • Municipalities are local government bodies responsible for urban areas and their governance.
  • They are categorized into Nagar Panchayats, Municipal Councils, and Municipal Corporations based on population size and level of urbanization.
• 74th Constitutional Amendment Act:
  • Enacted in 1992, it gave constitutional status to municipalities and incorporated provisions for decentralized urban governance.
  • It introduced the Twelfth Schedule and provided for the establishment of Ward Committees in urban areas.
• Article 243W:
  • This article specifies the powers, authority, and responsibilities of municipalities.
  • The Twelfth Schedule lists functional areas under this article, empowering municipalities to manage urban development and services.
• Decentralized Governance:
  • Decentralized governance refers to the delegation of powers and responsibilities to local government bodies for efficient administration.
  • It aims to bring governance closer to the people, ensuring better service delivery and citizen participation.