Brief Overview
A recent performance audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has revealed that Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Uttar Pradesh are severely lacking in power and resources. The audit, covering the period from 2015 to 2020, found that ULBs are heavily reliant on government grants, with their own revenue generation being minimal. Furthermore, the state government has failed to devolve all 18 functions mandated by the 74th Constitutional Amendment to the ULBs, impeding their ability to effectively govern and provide essential services. The audit also highlighted deficiencies in the preparation of development plans, budget estimates, and the imposition and collection of municipal taxes. These findings paint a grim picture of the state of ULBs in Uttar Pradesh, raising serious concerns about their capacity to meet the growing demands of urbanization and provide quality services to citizens. This calls for urgent reforms to empower ULBs and ensure their effective functioning in the rapidly urbanizing landscape of India.
ULBs Shackled by Lack of Power and Resources
The CAG’s performance audit report on the implementation of the 74th Constitutional Amendment, tabled in Parliament on August 8, has exposed a stark reality: Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Uttar Pradesh are grappling with a severe lack of power and resources, hindering their ability to effectively govern and provide essential services to their constituents. The audit, covering the period between April 2015 and March 2020, paints a bleak picture of the state of ULBs, revealing a systemic failure to empower these bodies as envisioned by the constitutional amendment. This failure has far-reaching consequences, impacting the quality of life in urban areas and undermining the principles of decentralization and local self-governance.
The audit found that a staggering 68.72% of the total funds for ULBs came from government grants, while their own revenue generation accounted for a mere 16.16%. This heavy reliance on external funding leaves ULBs vulnerable to the whims of the state government and limits their autonomy in decision-making and resource allocation. It creates a dependency syndrome that stifles innovation and initiative, hindering the ULBs’ ability to respond effectively to the unique challenges and needs of their communities.
Devolution of Functions: A Promise Unfulfilled
The 74th Constitutional Amendment, which came into effect in June 1993, aimed to empower ULBs by devolving 18 specific functions to them. These functions encompass a wide range of areas, including urban planning, regulation of land-use and construction of buildings, water supply, sanitation and solid waste management, urban forestry, protection of the environment, and promotion of cultural, educational and aesthetic aspects. However, the CAG audit found that the Uttar Pradesh government had failed to devolve all these functions, undermining the very purpose of the amendment. This lack of devolution has left ULBs with limited control over critical areas, impeding their ability to address the diverse needs of their communities and plan for sustainable urban development.
The audit also revealed that even in cases where functions were ostensibly devolved, ULBs were often relegated to the role of mere implementing agencies for certain functions, further eroding their autonomy and decision-making powers. This situation has created a disconnect between ULBs and the citizens they are meant to serve, leading to a lack of accountability and responsiveness. It has also resulted in a duplication of efforts and a wastage of resources, as both the state government and ULBs are involved in the same areas of work, often with conflicting priorities and approaches.
Financial Constraints and Governance Challenges
The audit highlighted several other deficiencies in the functioning of ULBs, including the lack of preparation of yearly development plans and annual budget estimates in any of the test-checked 46 ULBs. This points to a lack of strategic planning and financial management, which can have serious consequences for the efficient utilization of resources and the delivery of services. Without a clear roadmap for development and a well-defined budget, ULBs are unable to prioritize their needs, allocate resources effectively, and monitor their progress. This lack of financial discipline can lead to wasteful expenditure, corruption, and a failure to meet the expectations of citizens.
Furthermore, the audit found that ULBs were not proactive in the imposition and realization of municipal taxes, with many failing to impose mandatory house tax and water tax. This has resulted in a weak revenue base, forcing ULBs to rely even more heavily on government grants and limiting their ability to invest in infrastructure and development projects. The lack of adequate revenue generation also hampers the ULBs’ ability to maintain and upgrade existing infrastructure, leading to a deterioration in the quality of services and a decline in the overall livability of urban areas.
Deficiencies in Service Delivery
The CAG audit also exposed significant shortcomings in the delivery of basic municipal services. A shocking 65 out of the 707 ULBs in the state did not have piped drinking water supply, and none of the test-checked ULBs were providing water supply services according to the prescribed service level benchmarks. This highlights a serious failure to meet the basic needs of citizens, particularly those from marginalized communities who are often disproportionately affected by inadequate service delivery. Access to clean drinking water is a fundamental human right, and the failure of ULBs to provide this essential service is a matter of grave concern.
The audit also found deficiencies in other critical areas such as sanitation and solid waste management. The lack of proper sanitation facilities and the improper disposal of waste pose serious health risks to the population and contribute to environmental degradation. The failure of ULBs to address these issues effectively undermines the quality of life in urban areas and poses a threat to public health and the environment.
Manpower Shortages and Lack of Autonomy
The audit also revealed a significant shortfall in human resources across various categories, including centralized services, non-centralized services, and sanitation services. This shortage of manpower further hampers the ability of ULBs to effectively carry out their functions and deliver services. The lack of adequate staff can lead to delays in service delivery, poor quality of work, and a lack of responsiveness to citizens’ complaints and grievances.
Moreover, the audit found that the state government had not devolved adequate manpower to the ULBs and that ULBs lacked autonomy in the management of staff, including recruitment and deployment. This lack of control over human resources further undermines the ability of ULBs to function effectively and respond to the needs of their communities. It creates a situation where ULBs are dependent on the state government for even basic staffing needs, limiting their ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel and implement effective human resource management practices.
Recommendations for Empowerment
The CAG has recommended that the state government take immediate steps to devolve all functions and responsibilities to ULBs as mandated by the 12th Schedule of the Constitution. It has also recommended that the state government grant adequate powers to ULBs over the recruitment and management of staff. These recommendations, if implemented, could go a long way in empowering ULBs and enabling them to fulfill their constitutional mandate. They would also contribute to greater transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in the functioning of ULBs, leading to improved service delivery and a better quality of life for urban residents.
The Way Forward
The CAG audit serves as a wake-up call for the Uttar Pradesh government and other states to take concrete steps to empower ULBs. It is imperative to devolve the necessary functions, provide adequate resources, and grant ULBs greater autonomy in decision-making and resource management. Only then can ULBs truly become engines of urban development and deliver quality services to their citizens. Empowering ULBs is not only a constitutional mandate but also a critical necessity for addressing the challenges of rapid urbanization and ensuring sustainable and inclusive development in India’s cities and towns.
Soumya Smruti Sahoo is a seasoned journalist with extensive experience in both international and Indian news writing. With a sharp analytical mind and a dedication to uncovering the truth, Soumya has built a reputation for delivering in-depth, well-researched articles that provide readers with a clear understanding of complex global and domestic issues. Her work reflects a deep commitment to journalistic integrity, making her a trusted source for accurate and insightful news coverage.
