महाराष्ट्र में स्थानीय सरकार

Local Government Structure in Maharashtra

• Maharashtra's local government follows India's general structure, categorized into urban and rural.
• Maharashtra is highly urbanized (42.23% urban population)—the third most urbanized Indian state.
• Urban population in Maharashtra grew significantly (23.7%) between 2001 and 2011.
• Maharashtra has 255 Statutory Towns and 279 Census Towns.
• Three municipal acts govern urban areas, defining categories based on population.
• Minimum and maximum councillor/ward numbers are determined by population.

Urban Local Governance in Maharashtra

• Maharashtra has 29 Municipal Corporations.
• There are 226 municipalities.
• Wards committees are mandated for municipalities with over 300,000 population (Section 66A).
• Municipalities under 300,000 population(Type A Municipal Councils) and Type B & C Municipal Councils, are exempt.
• Municipal corporations (Section 29A) have their own ward committee structure based on population.
• While large cities (e.g., Mumbai, Pune) have functioning wards committees, smaller cities lack active committees.

Rural Local Governance in Maharashtra

• Maharashtra's rural governance uses the Panchayati Raj system (three-tiered).
• This system includes Zilla Parishad (district level), Taluka Panchayat (sub-district level), and Gram Panchayat (village level).
• Maharashtra was an early adopter of the Panchayati Raj system, implementing the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act of 1961, amended in 1994.
• There are 34 Zilla Parishads in Maharashtra,.
• Panchayat Samitis (351) act as the link between Gram Panchayats and Zilla Parishads.
• Gram Panchayats, present in villages with over 500 population, are basic self-governance bodies.
• Group-Gram Panchayats serve smaller communities (fewer than 500 population).
• Gram Panchayat members are elected, with reserved seats for women (33%), Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
• Postion of Sarpanch and deputy sarpanch positions are rotated between various demographics.
• Maharashtra has 28,813 Gram Panchayats.
• Local body election period is for 5 years.
• Maharashtra State Election Commission conducts local body elections.