In News:

46% of councillors in urban local bodies are women, says a report by Janaagraha, a not-for-profit organisation working to strengthen systems of governance in India’s cities.

Overview: Gender Representation in Urban Local Bodies

• Women Councillors in India: Around 46% of councillors in urban local bodies (ULBs) are women, according to a recent report by Janaagraha, a non-profit organization focused on strengthening urban governance systems.
• Capital Cities: In 19 out of 21 capital cities with active ULBs (such as Patna, Shimla, Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar), women councillors exceed 60% of the total councillor count.

Top States for Women Councillors

• Tamil Nadu stands out with the highest number of women councillors in the country, according to the "Roadmap for India’s City Systems Reforms" report by Janaagraha.
• Other States in the Top 10:
  • Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh.

Women’s Reservation and Empowerment

• 50% Reservation: 17 states have legislated 50% women’s reservation in urban local bodies, surpassing the constitutional minimum of 33%.

Pathways for Urban Transformation

• Three Key Recommendations:
  • Place-Based Governance: Advocates for governance focused on regional economies and local governments rather than sector-driven policies.
  • Decentralised Participatory Governance: Emphasizes the need to strengthen urban local governments and increase citizen participation through the 74th constitutional amendment.
  • Building State Capacities: Calls for a more effective role of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and state urban departments focused on local self-government.

Rural-Urban Transition and Policy Reforms

• Urbanization of Villages: The report highlights that about 1,000 villages have already transitioned into urban areas since the 2011 Census, urging the need for a rural-urban transition policy.
• Reimagine Urban Ministries: Recommends restructuring urban ministries to focus on regional economies and the strengthening of local governance institutions.

Key Challenges in Urban Governance

• Delays in Elections: 61% of ULGs in 15 states have delayed council elections.
• Disempowered Local Bodies: Mayors and ULGs often lack autonomy, with control over only four out of 18 functions.
• Citizen Participation Gaps: There is a lack of formal platforms for citizen involvement in governance.

Skilling and Capacity Building

• Certification-Based Training: Proposes skilling programs for ULG staff, with a focus on improving municipal efficiency and project implementation.
• Shared Service Centres: Recommends creating municipal service centres to benefit smaller cities and enhance urban management.

Conclusion: Need for Place-Based Governance

• Strategic Shift: Srikanth Viswanathan, CEO of Janaagraha, emphasized the need to shift away from a sector-based governance model to a place-based governance approach, better suited to the urban challenges of modern India.