Guwahati Municipal Corporation

Guwahati Municipal Corporation
Coat of arms or logo
Guwahati Municipal Corporation Map
Type
Type
Leadership
Mayor
Mrigen Sarania, BJP[1]
Deputy Mayor
Ibemcha Singha[1]
Commissioner
Megha Nidhi Dahal, IAS
Structure
Seats60
Political groups
Government (58)
NDA (58)
  •   BJP (52)
  •   AGP (6)

Opposition (2)

Elections
Last election
April 2022
Next election
2027
Meeting place
Guwahati, Assam
Website
gmc.assam.gov.in

Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) is the local government in Guwahati, Assam, India. GMC was formed in the year 1971 by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation Act, 1969.[2] The corporation was duly constituted in 1974 in the first meeting of the elected councillors as per provision of Sec.45 of this Act.

Municipal Corporation mechanism in India was introduced during British Rule with formation of municipal corporation in Madras (Chennai) in 1688, later followed by municipal corporations in Bombay (Mumbai) and Calcutta (Kolkata) by 1762.[3] Guwahati Municipal Corporation Municipal Corporation is headed by the Mayor of the city and governed by a Commissioner.

A municipal corporation is the highest form of urban local body (ULB) in India. Presently, GMC is divided into 60 municipal wards.[4]

Organisational setup

The Mayor and the Deputy Mayor are responsible for the 60 municipal wards of Guwahati Municipality Corporation, who is the head of a council consisting of 60 elected ward commissioners.[5]

The Commissioner is responsible for the proper functioning of the corporation. He is assisted by Additional Commissioner and Joint Commissioner. A Chief Engineer for The Water Works Department and the Public Works Department division is responsible. A Superintendent Engineer is responsible for the Garage branch.

The accounts branch is the responsibility of a Financial Advisor, a Chief Accounts, and an Audit Officer. Each revenue zone is headed by a Deputy Commissioner.

Functions

Guwahati Municipal Corporation is created for the following functions:[6][7]

  • Planning for the town including its surroundings which are covered under its department's Urban Planning Authority.
  • Approving construction of new buildings and authorising use of land for various purposes.
  • Improvement of the town's economic and social status.
  • Arrangements of water supply towards commercial, residential and industrial purposes.
  • Planning for fire contingencies through fire service departments.
  • Creation of solid waste management, public health system and sanitary services.
  • Working for the development of ecological aspect like development of urban forestry and making guidelines for environmental protection.
  • Working for the development of weaker sections of the society like mentally and physically handicapped, old age and gender biased people.
  • Making efforts for improvement of slums and poverty removal in the town.

Elections

2013 Guwahati Municipal Corporation election[8]
Party Seats won
Indian National Congress 19
Bharatiya Janata Party 11
Asom Gana Parishad 1
Others 0
2022 Guwahati Municipal Corporation election[9]
Party Seats contested Seats won Seats +/− Vote %
Bharatiya Janata Party 53 52 Increase41 59.31%
Asom Gana Parishad 7 6 Increase5 7.01%
Aam Aadmi Party 39 1 Increase1 10.69%
Assam Jatiya Parishad 24 1 Increase1 3.85%
Indian National Congress 57 0 Decrease19 13.71%
Communist Party of India (Marxist) 4 0 Steady 0.61%
Others N/A 0 Steady 2.78%
NOTA N/A 2.02%

Branches

  • Conservancy
  • Water Works Tax Division
  • Public Works
  • Building Permission
  • Street light and Electrical Section
  • Municipal Markets
  • Sanitation & Health
  • Veterinary
  • Enforcement
  • Property Tax
  • Mutation Branch
  • Trade Licence
  • Advertisement
  • Slow Moving Vehicle Branch
  • Dead body and night soil removal Branch
  • Poverty alleviation
  • Birth and death registration
  • Garage Branch
  • Accounts Branch

Sources of revenue

  • Property tax comprising a general tax, water tax, scavenging tax, light tax, and urban tax
  • Trade licence fee
  • Entry toll
  • Parking fees
  • Toll and rent from municipal markets
  • Tax on advertisements
  • Tax on slow moving vehicles
  • Animal tax
  • Building permission fees and penalties
  • Water connection charge
  • Fines
  • Share of motor vehicle tax
  • Share of entertainment tax
  • Share of land revenue and surcharge on stamp duty

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Assam: Mrigen Sarania retains mayor post, Smita Roy to be his deputy". The Times of India. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  2. ^ Guwahati Municipal Corporation Act, 1969
  3. ^ Gupta, Anupam. "City Mayors: Indian Mayors". citymayors.com. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  4. ^ "Guwahati City".
  5. ^ http://gmcportal.in:8080/GMCPortal/jsp/include/AboutGMC.jsp
  6. ^ "Municipal Corporation - Functions, Roles, Members Qualification and Term". www.elections.in. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Good municipal governance key to improve quality of life | Pune News - Times of India". The Times of India. 24 February 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Corporation election results boost BJP in Assam". Business Standard India. 28 June 2013.
  9. ^ "GMC results: In 60-seat civic body, BJP-AGP bag 58 wards". 24 April 2022.