PIB Policy Dossier: “हम राज्य की राजधानियों से शहरों को नहीं चला सकते”: नीति आयोग के सदस्य श्री राजीव गौबा ने दूसरे राष्ट्रीय शहरी सम्मेलन में भारत की विकास क्षमता को अनलॉक करने के लिए सशक्त शहरी सरकारों की ज़रुरत पर बल दिया

### “हम राज्य की राजधानियों से शहरों को नहीं चला सकते”: नीति आयोग के सदस्य श्री राजीव गौबा ने दूसरे राष्ट्रीय शहरी सम्मेलन में भारत की विकास क्षमता को अनलॉक करने के लिए सशक्त शहरी सरकारों की ज़रुरत पर बल दिया **Syllabus Mapping:** GS Paper II - Governance - Devolution of Powers and Finances up to Local Levels and Challenges Therein · GS Paper I - Population and Associated Issues - Urbanization, Problems and Remedies · GS Paper III - Indian Economy - Inclusive Growth and Issues Arising from Design and Implementation of Policies > The 2025-26 budget announced a 1 lakh crore rupees Urban Challenge Fund to develop cities as growth hubs. | Parameter | Policy Specification | | --- | --- | | **Nodal Authority** | नीति आयोग (NITI Aayog) | | **Statutory / Legal Basis** | 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, Model Tenancy Act | | **Target Data / Fiscal Metric** | Urban population projected to increase from 50 crore to 85 crore by 2050; Urban Challenge Fund of 1 lakh crore rupees announced in 2025-26 budget. | **🎯 Prelims Trap Radar** - Do not confuse the 1 lakh crore rupees Urban Challenge Fund announced in the 2025-26 budget with central sector allocations for individual metro rail projects or previous urban missions. **🏛️ Mains Analytical Dimensions** - **Context & Origin:** With India's urban population expected to reach 85 crore by 2050, NITI Aayog has emphasized the critical need to transition away from state-capital-centric administration to empowered local urban governments. - **Core Implications & Trade-offs:** Lack of financial autonomy, delayed municipal elections, underutilization of property taxes, and restrictive planning frameworks continue to impede the economic potential of Indian cities despite major central missions and increased budgetary allocations. - **Strategic Way Forward:** States must enact new municipal laws, ensure timely elections, devolve all 18 functions under the 74th Amendment, and link central urban mission support to structural governance and planning reforms. **📚 Static Textbook Linkages** - **74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992:** Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth - Local Government chapter detailing the constitutional status, structure, and 18 functional items of urban local bodies. - **Urbanization and Municipal Finance:** Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh or Indian Social Development textbooks focusing on urban governance challenges, revenue sources of urban local bodies, and recommendations of State and Central Finance Commissions.