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- Full integration of Metropolitan Planning Committees (MPCs)
with local governments is absolutely essential
Reports have appeared in the media that the government has
prepared a draft bill for the constitution of Metropolitan
Planning Committees (MPCs) covering metro regions including
surrounding municipalities and panchayats in the State. Lok
Satta Party has strongly and consistently advocated for the
establishment of MPCs to facilitate meaningful and effective
metro-level preparation, coordination and implementation of
complex developmental plans. In fact, the Indian Constitution
has explicitly mandated the setting up of MPCs as far back as
1993 itself. However, there are serious concerns regarding the
reported provisions of the state government’s draft bill. To be
effective and meaningful, this bill must ensure the following:
- The chairperson of
the MPC should be the Mayor
of the largest city in the designated metro area. Likewise,
the parastatal agencies including urban development
authorities and those providing essential services like
water supply and sewerage should function within the
institutional framework of the MPCs. MPCs should facilitate
effective coordination between the corporation,
municipalities and gram panchayats in the metro zone.
- As per Article 243ZE
of the Constitution, at least two-thirds of the members of
the MPCs should be duly elected by and from among the
elected members of the municipal corporation, municipalities
and heads of the panchayats. While the remaining can be
nominated by the government, they should include
representatives of the civil society.
The
chairpersonship and membership of the MPCs should not be based
on partisan political considerations. Simultaneously, MPCs
should be fully integrated with local governments. Both steps
are absolutely essential for leading our metro regions towards
better planned and managed development. Otherwise, mere
formation of MPCs – that too after more than 14 years of delay,
could end up yielding yet another defunct body. Now that could
become a case of doing too little, too late for our metros.
- Safeguards to prevent criminals from contesting
elections : Dr. Narayan interacts with Parliamentary
Committee
We
have to quickly evolve clear and strict statutory norms to
disqualify criminals from contesting elections, and help arrest
and reverse criminalization of politics in our country. On
December 28 (2006) and on January 18 (2007), Lok Satta,
represented by Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan interacted with the
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public
Grievances, Law and Justice at the Parliament (Rajya Sabha)
Secretariat in this regard.
Dr.
Narayan stressed the citizens’ right to good representation is
primary. However, this does not require the blanket
disqualification of all persons facing criminal charges,
in light of the serious defects in our criminal justice system.
He stated to the above Committee that a person should be
disqualified from contesting elections if a magistrate, after
prima facie enquiry, frames charges against him of grave
criminal offences: waging war against India, murder, rape,
abduction for ransom/murder, dacoity, narcotics offences and
charges of corruption under Prevention of Corruption Act (1988).
The Representation of People Act (1951)’s Section 8 should be
suitably and quickly amended to meet this pressing requirement.
(DVVS
Varma)
State
Secretary |
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