Introduction:

In cities, we often see streetlights, parks, hospitals, and clean roads. But have you ever thought about who manages all these things? There is a whole system behind it called Urban Administration. In this chapter, we will explore how cities are managed, who makes important decisions like where parks should be built, and how different services are provided to the people.

Who administers the Cities?

• Like villages, cities also need to take care of daily needs.
• So, who manages water, garbage, and streetlights in cities?
  • The Municipal Corporation handles all of this.

What is Municipal Corporation?

It is the city’s local government. It ensures clean water, garbage collection, and working streetlights. It also looks after parks, schools, and hospitals.

In bigger cities, this body is called a Municipal Corporation, while in smaller towns, it is known as a Municipal Council.

Responsibilities of the Municipal Corporation:

• Disease prevention: The Corporation educates people about diseases such as malaria.
• Managing public services: It runs essential services like schools, hospitals, and health centers.
• Caring for public spaces: It creates and maintains parks and gardens for the public.

Sources of Money for Municipal Corporation:

• The Municipal Corporation earns money from different taxes.
  • Homeowners pay property tax based on house size, while businesses and activities, like purchasing movie tickets, also contribute.
  • Note: Property taxes help the Corporation earn about 25-30% of all its money.
• These taxes help maintain city services and facilities.

Ward Councillor:

• Cities are divided into smaller parts called wards.
• Each ward has a Ward Councillor who takes part in decision-making.
• Ward Councillors decide on important things like where to build parks or hospitals.

Decision-Making Process:

• They meet to create a budget and prioritize their wards’ needs.
• Ward Councillors form committees to discuss issues
  • For Example: garbage collection, street lighting.

Community Involvement:

• Residents can approach their Ward Councillors for help with local problems.
  • Example: When residents faced garbage issues, Gangabai organized a protest.
  • and Yasmin described how residents in her locality faced garbage collection problems, which affected their health and environment.

Who is Municipal Councillor?

A Municipal Councillor is a person we elect to represent our area in the city.

What do they do?:

• Listen to what people in their area need.
• Make decisions about parks, roads, and garbage collection.
• Help solve problems in the community.