Form of Urban Local Government in India

Abstract

The role of urban local governments in India has become extremely challenging. To ensure that demands of the urban population are addressed properly, the Indian government has initiated various policy reforms to strengthen local governments. This article describes the form of urban local government in India in the context of recent municipal reforms. Evolution of municipalities, their typology and constitution, legislation, duties, composition, management and finance practices are some aspects covered. It is concluded that municipalities in India are being empowered in various ways with the intention that they would emerge as viable units of governance at the local level.