Part IXA: The Municipalities

Article 243ZD: Committee for District Planning

Original Article:

(1) There shall be constituted in every State at the district level a District Planning Committee to consolidate the plans prepared by the Panchayats and the Municipalities in the district and to prepare a draft development plan for the district as a whole.

(2) The Legislature of a State may, by law, make provision with respect to—

• The composition of the District Planning Committees;
• The manner in which the seats in such Committees shall be filled:

Provided that not less than four-fifths of the total number of members of such a Committee shall be elected by, and from amongst, the elected members of the Panchayat at the district level and of the Municipalities in the district, in proportion to the ratio between the population of the rural areas and of the urban areas in the district.

(3) The Chairperson of every District Planning Committee shall forward the development plan, as recommended by such Committee, to the Government of the State.

Explanation:

Article 243ZD emphasizes the importance of coordinated planning at the district level by integrating the development plans of Panchayats and Municipalities. The creation of District Planning Committees ensures equitable resource distribution and the development of a cohesive district-wide strategy.

Real-Life Examples:

• In Karnataka, the District Planning Committees play a crucial role in preparing comprehensive development plans, incorporating inputs from both urban and rural local bodies.
• Maharashtra’s District Planning Committees have been instrumental in addressing regional disparities by allocating resources based on the unique needs of rural and urban areas.

Debates and Deliberations:

During the discussions on Article 243ZD, members highlighted the importance of integrating urban and rural development plans. Concerns were raised about ensuring adequate representation of marginalized communities in District Planning Committees.