Praja Foundation, a Mumbai based Non for Profit Organization presented its study on Coimbatore’s status of devolution of 18 functions as per 74th Constitutional Amendment of India on 05.11.2019.
Stake holders of Coimbatore’s Urban Governance former councillors, former deputy mayor along with members of Praja discussed about the data presented in the study.
Praja focuses on improving urban governance by providing concrete data about the performance of elected representatives and local body authorities on where they can improve, where they need more power and how public participation in administration can improve the quality of life in cities.
According to the 74th Amendment, 18 key functions such as Urban Planning including Town Planning, Regulation of Land use and construction of buildings, Planning for economic and social development, Road and Bridges, Water supply-domestic, industrial and commercial, public health, sanitation, conservancy, Solid Waste Management, Fire Services, Urban Forestry, Protection of Environment and Ecology, safeguarding the interests of weaker sections including handicapped and mentally retarded, slum improvement and upgradation, urban poverty allievation, provision of urban amenities and facilities- park, garden, playground, promotion of cultural and aesthetic aspects, education; burials and burial grounds, cremations, cremation grounds and electric crematoriums, cattle pounds, prevention of cruelty to animals, vital statistics including registration of births and deaths, public amenities including street lighting, parking lots and public conveniences, bus stops and Regulation of slaughterhouses and tanneries should be devolved to the corporation.
Suggestions were made by the local body authorities over the study. It was stated that if the powers, the74th Amendment bestows on them is implemented, then there will be a visible change in the urban governance of Coimbatore city.