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The 74th Amendment mandates States to devolve powers, authority, and responsibilities to Municipalities for preparing plans and implementing schemes for economic development and social justice, but actual devolution varies across States based on political will and State legislation.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Devolution to Municipalities: (a) Constitutional mandate: Article 243W empowers State Legislatures to endow Municipalities with powers/authority to function as institutions of self-government for economic development, social justice, (b) 12th Schedule: Lists 18 functional items (urban planning, regulation of land-use, slum improvement, water supply, public health, sanitation, fire services, urban forestry, roads, street lighting, etc.) that may be devolved to Municipalities, (c) Variation across States: (i) Progressive States: Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra have substantially devolved functions, funds, functionaries to Municipalities, (ii) Lagging States: Many States have not fully devolved powers; Municipalities remain dependent on State departments for implementation, (iii) Political will: Devolution depends on State government commitment to urban local governance, not just constitutional mandate, (d) Applications: (i) Urban services: Municipalities in progressive States manage water supply, waste management, street lighting; in others, role limited to advisory, (ii) Local planning: Municipalities in progressive States prepare city development plans; in others, plans prepared by State departments, (e) Challenges: (i) Incomplete devolution: Municipalities lack functions, funds, functionaries for effective self-governance, (ii) Financial constraints: Municipalities depend on State grants, limited own revenue sources, (iii) Capacity gaps: Municipal staff need training on urban planning, financial management, governance, (f) Illustrates cooperative federalism: Constitutional framework enables urban local governance; actual devolution requires political will, capacity building, financial resources at State level.