Urban Local Government: 74th Amendment, Municipalities & Corporations

The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) is a frequently tested topic in Kerala PSC polity sections. Questions focus on constitutional provisions, types of urban bodies, reservation, and the 12th Schedule. Master the tables below for exam readiness.

1. 74th Amendment Act — Key Provisions

Feature	Detail
Amendment Number	74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992
Came into force	1 June 1993
Part added	Part IX-A (Articles 243P to 243ZG)
Schedule added	12th Schedule (18 functions)
Objective	Constitutional status to urban local bodies
Mandated by	Article 243Q — Constitution of municipalities

2. Types of Urban Local Bodies (Article 243Q)

Type	Population Criteria	Head
Nagar Panchayat	Transitional area (rural to urban)	Chairperson
Municipal Council (Municipality)	Smaller urban area	Chairperson
Municipal Corporation	Larger urban area	Mayor

Note: States define exact population thresholds for each category.

3. Composition and Elections

Aspect	Provision
Members	Elected from territorial wards by direct election (Art. 243R)
Ward committees	Mandatory for municipalities with population of 3 lakh or more (Art. 243S)
Reservation for SC/ST	Proportional to population (Art. 243T)
Reservation for women	Not less than 1/3 of total seats (Art. 243T)
Duration of municipality	5 years; elections within 6 months if dissolved (Art. 243U)
State Election Commission	Conducts elections (same body as for panchayats under Art. 243K)

4. Disqualification and Powers

Feature	Detail
Disqualification	Same grounds as for state legislature; decided by authority prescribed by state law (Art. 243V)
Powers and functions	As per state legislature (Art. 243W); 12th Schedule lists 18 subjects
Financial powers	State may authorize taxes, assign revenue, provide grants (Art. 243X)
Finance Commission	Same State Finance Commission reviews both panchayat and municipal finances (Art. 243Y)
Audit	Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) may audit accounts as prescribed by state (Art. 243Z)

5. 12th Schedule — 18 Functions of Municipalities

No.	Function
1	Urban planning including town planning
2	Regulation of land-use and construction of buildings
3	Planning for economic and social development
4	Roads and bridges
5	Water supply for domestic, industrial, and commercial purposes
6	Public health, sanitation, conservancy, and solid waste management
7	Fire services
8	Urban forestry, protection of environment, and ecology
9	Safeguarding interests of weaker sections including handicapped and mentally retarded
10	Slum improvement and upgradation
11	Urban poverty alleviation
12	Provision of urban amenities and facilities (parks, gardens, playgrounds)
13	Promotion of cultural, educational, and aesthetic aspects
14	Burials and burial grounds; cremations and cremation grounds; electric crematoriums
15	Cattle pounds; prevention of cruelty to animals
16	Vital statistics including registration of births and deaths
17	Public amenities including street lighting, parking lots, bus stops, and public conveniences
18	Regulation of slaughter houses and tanneries

6. Urban Local Government in Kerala

Feature	Detail
Act governing	Kerala Municipality Act, 1994
Corporations	6 — Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode, Kollam, Thrissur, Kannur
Municipalities	87
Head of Corporation	Mayor (elected from among councillors)
Head of Municipality	Chairperson
Reservation for women	50% of seats in Kerala (more than constitutional minimum of 1/3)
Wards	Divided into wards; each ward elects one councillor

7. Corporation vs Municipality — Comparison

Feature	Municipal Corporation	Municipality
Area	Larger urban area	Smaller urban area
Head	Mayor	Chairperson
Revenue	Higher tax base; more grants	Smaller tax base
Staff head	Municipal Commissioner (IAS)	Municipal Secretary
Examples in Kerala	Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi	Guruvayur, Perinthalmanna

8. District Planning Committee (Article 243ZD)

Feature	Detail
Purpose	Consolidate plans of panchayats and municipalities into district development plan
Composition	4/5 members elected by panchayat and municipality members; rest nominated
Chairperson	As prescribed by state law (usually District Collector chairs meetings in practice)

9. Metropolitan Planning Committee (Article 243ZE)

Feature	Detail
Applies to	Metropolitan areas (population 10 lakh or more)
Purpose	Prepare development plan for the metropolitan area
Composition	2/3 members elected from among municipality and panchayat members

10. Comparison: 73rd vs 74th Amendment

Feature	73rd Amendment (Panchayat)	74th Amendment (Municipality)
Part added	Part IX	Part IX-A
Schedule	11th (29 subjects)	12th (18 subjects)
Bodies	Gram, Block, District Panchayat	Nagar Panchayat, Municipality, Corporation
Articles	243A to 243O	243P to 243ZG
Came into force	24 April 1993	1 June 1993
Women reservation	Minimum 1/3	Minimum 1/3
Duration	5 years	5 years

11. Previous Year Question Patterns

• “74th Amendment added which Part?” — Part IX-A
• “12th Schedule has how many functions?” — 18
• “Ward committee is mandatory for population of” — 3 lakh or more
• “Minimum women reservation in municipalities?” — 1/3 (one-third)
• “How many corporations in Kerala?” — 6
• “74th Amendment came into force on?” — 1 June 1993
• “Metropolitan Planning Committee is for areas with population of” — 10 lakh or more