Mayors seek uniform powers for urban local bodies across country

At the 53rd annual general meeting of the All India Mayors’ Council, over 70 Mayors from 21 states unanimously demanded complete and uniform implementation of the 74th Constitutional Amendment to strengthen Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). They stressed that the Union Government must enforce it equally across all states. According to the Mayors, the amendments provide greater administrative and financial authority, making their institutions more effective.

Uma Shankar Gupta, General Secretary (Organisation) of the Council and former Home Minister of Madhya Pradesh, said Mayors across India were demanding full implementation of the 74th Amendment to empower ULBs, which have long struggled with autonomy and functional strength due to varying state policies.

“The amendment, enacted in 1992, was meant to promote self-governance in municipalities and foster decentralised, participatory democracy. But uneven implementation by states has left local bodies with limited actual power. We demand the government fully implement this amendment uniformly across the country,” he said.

Karnal Mayor Renu Bala Gupta, elected as the new national president of the Council, added, “All the Mayors present in the meeting in one voice demand the Union government to implement the 74th Constitutional Amendment equally across the country. This amendment aim to strengthen the Urban Local Bodies.”

The valedictory function of the two-day meeting was chaired by Haryana Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan, who underlined Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of strengthening legislative institutions, including Parliament, state assemblies, ULBs and Panchayati Raj Institutions.

“People’s awareness and participation are essential to empower these institutions. The PM’s idea is that these forums should not merely exist, but they must conduct meaningful discussions, planning and find constructive solutions,” Kalyan said.

He added that during the meeting, discussions were held on new projects, innovative systems and improved practices. The issue of the 74th Amendment was also raised and some states had already begun implementing it. He cited reforms introduced by Union Minister Manohar Lal during his tenure as Haryana Chief Minister, including direct mayoral elections and literate panchayats, which he said set an example for the country.

Recalling the recent All India Speakers’ Conference in Patna, Kalyan said a resolution was passed to spread constitutional values among citizens. He said initiatives like the Manesar conference of ULB heads formed part of this campaign and similar events would be organised across Haryana.

Kalyan also congratulated Karnal Mayor Renu Bala Gupta on her election as national president of the Council, praising her leadership in urban governance.

Emphasising the importance of sharing best practices among states, he said, “We talk of One Nation–One Municipality. If Assam implements an innovative project, Haryana should learn from it, and vice versa. Together, we must adopt innovations and work for public welfare.” He invoked reforms such as One Nation–One Election and GST as One Nation–One Tax, describing them as steps towards One Nation–One Legislation.