CHAPTER 7

URBAN ADMINISTRATION

Background- An urban area is a human settlement with high population density and population density and
infrastructure, like cities and towns. The administration refers to local governing body responsible for managing city or
town.
Keywords- Municipal Corporation, Municipal council, wards councillor, taxes

Q.I Answer the following (MCQ, VSA, True or False)

1. Name the local-government in big cities like Kolkata.
Municipal Corporation________________.
2. Name the elected head of Municipal Corporation.
Mayor.____________________.
3. Name the various departments of Municipal Corporation.
Garbage collection, Water and sanitation department
4. Name the local-government in small cities.
Municipal Council.________________
5. Name the elected members of Municipal Corporation
Ward Councillor__________________.
6. Name the officers who assist the Commissioner.
Administrative staff in different departments.
7. Which one of the following is true or false?
1. For the municipality elections are held in every 5 years ___TRUE___.
2. The chief executive officer of Municipal Corporation is known as Municipal commissioner.
___TRUE____
3. The head of Municipal Corporation is called as Ward councillor _FALSE_____.
4. The city is divided into many councils __FALSE___.
5. The municipal corporation maintains Rashtrapati Bhavan. ___FALSE___.
6. The head of administrative staff of Municipal Corporation is called Municipal commissioner
___TRUE___.
Q.II Answer the following. (Short Questions)
1) Surat came in notice earlier in 1990’s. Why?
Ans. In 1990 Surat came in notice because it had a plague scare in 1994 and it was one of the dirtiest
city in India.
2) Name the local governing body that replaces the broken street lights, collects the garbage,
provides water supply and keeps the market clean. Municipal Corporation__________
3) What was suggested by Ward Councillor to Gangabai?
Ans. Ward Councillor suggested Gangabai to get a petition signed by all the adults in the locality
saying that garbage was not being collected.
4) When do the local people contact their councillors?
Ans. The ward people contact their ward councillor when the problem relates to the ward such as:

1. Dangerous electric wires to be replaced.

2. Road repairs (street repairs)
3. Public water pump installation.

5) What could be the effects of garbage lying all over the streets?
Ans. The effects of garbage lying all over the streets can be-

1.Garbage attracts dogs, rats, mosquitoes and flies.______

2.It gives foul smell which causes people to fall ill.________

3.People and children get sick.__________

Q.III Answer the following questions in detail. (Long Questions)

1. Discuss the composition of a Municipal Corporation.
Ans. The composition of Municipal corporation is-
a) Mayor and ward councillor-They are elected by the people and take important decisions.
b) Municipal commissioner and administrative staff-They implement and execute decisions.
c)There are different departments such as water supply, sanitation etc.

2.Describe the various functions performed by Municipal Corporation.

a) The Municipal corporation ensures that the diseases do not break down in the city.
b) Makes gardens and maintains them.
c) It also runs schools, hospitals and dispensaries.
3.Municipal Corporation has lot of workers. Explain in three points.
Ans. Yes, the municipal corporation has lot of workers as-
a) There are several workers in different departments like sanitation, water supply, garbage
collection etc.
b) There are workers in the accounts departments who look after slips and receipts.
c) There are contract workers hired by private contractors.

4.Explain the recent changes in Municipal Corporation.

Ans. a) In order to save money the commissioner of several municipalities had hired private
contractors to collect and process garbage.
b) This is called sub contracting and this means that the work that was earlier being done by
government workers is now being done by a private company .
c)These contract workers are paid less and their jobs are temporary.

5.Describe the role of Chief executive officer in three points.

Ans.a) The municipal commissioner is the chief executive officer of a municipal corporation
appointed by state government.
b) He had to look after various departments like education, sanitation, health etc.
c) He takes all important decisions and co-ordinates between the state government and
municipal corporation._____

6. Describe the various sources of income of Municipal Corporation.

Ans a) The municipal corporation collects taxes like house tax, property tax to get money to do work.
b) A tax is a sum of money that people pay to the govt. for the services the govt. provides.
c) People who own house have to pay a property tax as well as taxes for water and other
services.

7. Describe the role of Ward Councillor in three points.

Ans. a) Representing the ward for which they are elected.
b) Developing and reviewing council policy.
c) Community leadership and engagement.
Q.IV Reflection 1) In the present scenario, government has introduced ‘Swachcha Bharat Abhiyan’
and implemented too across India. However, there are many places where people are least bothered
about cleanliness and are not much aware of such schemes. Imagine yourself a resident of one such
area and being an educated person what will be your initiative to make people aware of such
Abhiyan and to maintain cleanliness? Elaborate your answer. HW