Question

Which are the essential functions of the Municipal Council?

Main functions of Municipal Council.

Discuss the functions of a Municipal Council.

Answer 1

The essential functions of the Municipal Council are:

1. The lighting of public streets.
2. Providing drinking water.
3. Maintaining public hygiene.
4. Sewage disposal.
5. Registration of birth/death/marriage, etc.

Answer 2

Following the 74th Constitutional Amendment and the inclusion of the 12th Schedule, a Municipal Council is entrusted with the following administrative responsibilities:

1. Planning: Formulating and executing development schemes for the city’s growth.
2. Regulation of land use and construction of Buildings: Frames by-laws for appropriate land utilisation and supervision of building activities.
3. Planning for Economic and Social Development: Handles planning tasks aimed at the economic and social advancement of city residents.
4. Construction and maintenance of Roads and Bridges: Responsible for building and maintaining roads and bridges within the municipal area.
5. Water Supply for Domestic, Industrial and Commercial Purposes: Ensures a clean drinking water supply for all purposes residential, industrial, and commercial.
6. Public Health and Sanitation: Looks after public health through officers and inspectors.
   1. Building public toilets and urinals
   2. Managing drainage systems
   3. Restricting the sale of unhygienic food
   4. Preventing food adulteration
   5. Establishing health centres and hospitals
   6. Conducting vaccination drives against epidemics.
7. Provision of Fire Fighting Service: Arranges fire brigade services and equipment for firefighting activities.
8. Urban Forestry, Protection of Environment and Ecological Balance: Implements environmental safety measures like pollution control and tree plantation.
9. To protect the interests of weaker sections of society: Safeguards the rights of vulnerable groups, including the disabled and the mentally challenged, by building and managing supportive facilities.