Page 27 - SST Class 03

Local Self-government in Towns and Cities

The local self-government in towns and cities is called municipality. Its
name depends on the size of the town or city.

u In a small town, it is called Nagar Panchayat .

u In a big town or small city, it is called Nagar Palika .

u In a metropolitan city, it is called Nagar Nigam .

A member of a municipality is called Sabhasad or Councillor . The
Sabhasads are elected by the people. The head of the municipality is called

the Chairman , but in a metropolitan city, he is called Mahapaur or Mayor .

A municipality performs the following functions in a town or city :

u It looks after roads and streets.

u It provides for street lighting and traffic

lights.

u It provides for hand-pumps, water-tanks
and water supply.

u It constructs and manages hospitals and

dispensaries.

u It maintains records of birth and death.

u It looks after cleanliness and hygiene of the
city.

u It looks after public health.

u It constructs and manages public schools,

public libraries, museums, zoos, parks etc.

u It also looks after historical monuments and other picnic spots.

u It arranges for cleaning and disposal of garbage.

u It provides for a firefighting system.

Sources of Income

A municipality gets grants from the state government for different

India : Local Self-government 27