Metropolitan Planning Committees (MPCs)

Subject: Polity

Context:

COVID-19 has brought in unprecedented challenges to India’s metropolitan cities, which highlights the limited capabilities of local governments in cities

Concept:

• The Constitution mandates formation of Metropolitan Planning Committees (MPCs) in all metropolitan areas with a million-plus population.
• MPCs are envisioned to ensure integrated planning for the entire metropolitan area, and are responsible for the preparation of draft development plans, synthesising priorities set by local authorities, State and Central governments.
• Article 243 ZE of Part IX A provides for establishment of the Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC)
• The State legislature may by law make provision with respect to-
  • the composition of the Metropolitan Planning Committees;
  • the manner in which the seats in such Committees shall be filled: Provided that not less than two-thirds of the members of such Committee shall be elected by, and from amongst, the elected members of the Municipalities and Chairpersons of the Panchayats in the Metropolitan area in proportion to the ratio between the population of the Municipalities and of the Panchayats in that area;
  • the representation in such Committees of the Government of India and the Government of the State and of such organisations and institutions as may be deemed necessary for carrying out the functions assigned to such Committees;
  • the functions relating to planning and coordination for the Metropolitan area which may be assigned to such Committees;
  • the manner in which the Chairpersons of such Committees shall be chosen.
• The Chairperson of every Metropolitan Planning Committee shall forward the development plan, as recommended by such Committee, to the Government of the State.