Part IXA: The Municipalities

Article 243P: Definitions

Original Article:

In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires, terms such as "Committee," "District," "Metropolitan Area," and others are defined to ensure clarity in urban governance.

Amendments:

Introduced as part of the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, this Article lays the foundation for Part IXA by defining key terms.

Explanation:

Article 243P defines terms like "Municipality," "Metropolitan Area," and "Population," ensuring clarity in the implementation of laws under Part IXA.

Clause-by-Clause Explanation:

1. Committee: Refers to Ward Committees and others defined under Article 243S, aiding decentralized governance within municipalities.
2. Metropolitan Area: Specifies urban areas with a population exceeding ten lakh, like Delhi and Bengaluru.
3. Municipality: Represents an institution of urban self-governance constituted under Article 243Q.

Legislative History:

Introduced through the 74th Amendment, this Article emphasizes urban governance and decentralization by defining terms critical to the functioning of municipalities.

Real-life Examples:

• Delhi’s designation as a Metropolitan Area under this Article ensures coordinated urban planning across its local bodies.
• Ward Committees in Bengaluru manage localized urban issues efficiently, reflecting the operational role of "Committees" under Article 243P.

Debates and Deliberations:

During discussions on the 74th Amendment:

• Mr. P. Chidambaram highlighted the importance of clear definitions for effective implementation of urban governance.
• Ms. Sushma Swaraj emphasized the need for coordination between urban and rural governance.