History of Srinagar Municipal Corporation
The history of municipal administration in the Jammu and Kashmir State goes back to the second half of the nineteenth century when the Kashmir valley gained attention of the western world for its beauty in nature and abject poverty of its people. As a matter of fact the Srinagar City became star attraction for reasons of its location, physical setting and
the water ways. The living conditions of the inhabitants of Srinagar City were not as good as other states of India and a need grew up to create a body of law and rules on municipal administration in the State and for introduction of the local self government. The history of the S.M.C dates back to 1886 when the Monarchy established a department to look after the civic affairs of the Srinagar City and Jammu City as Municipal Committees under J&K Municipal Act No. 16 of 1886.The Srinagar Municipal Committee functioned as a State Department with all its members nominated (05 official and 11 unofficial) by the Government and its functions included all civil construction projects , health and hygiene management , water works and fire fighting within the limits. Till 1911, the municipal limits consisted of about 2 miles along-with banks of the river Jehlium , which was extended to more than 3 miles. In 1913, a new Act introduced the elected element in the constitution of the local bodies of Srinagar and Jammu. First President of the Municipal Committee was Mr. Anand Kaul Bamzi. The population growth of the City recorded at 1.18 lakhs in 1891, 1.22 lakhs in 1901, 1.24 lakhs in 1911, 1.39 lakhs in 1921, by 1923, the municipal limits extended again to include Zoonimar, Batamaloo Bagh Nund Singh, Sonawar, Bonamsar, Rathapora. In 1922, the civic works of SMC include construction/repair of roads, bunds ,improvement of drains in different parts of the city , construction of metal roads. The SMC during this period constructed Hari Singh High Street, Partly at government expenses and partly at its own expenses. SMC also constructed foot paths on roads in civil lines, widened roads, and build gardens for Baladari. At the instance of the SMC, the Government constructed a sewer from Saria Balla to Chattabal known as "Green's Sewer" passing through old Gandhi Park. SMC also for the first time introduced street lighting run on electricity replacing the kerosene oil lamps. By 1941, the city extended further to include Soura in north, Chattabal Veer in West and Sonawar Bagh in East and Rambagh in South. The population of the city recorded at 1.73 in 1931 and 2.07 lakhs in 1941. In 1940, the Committee consists upon 18 members, 2/3rd members elected and 1/3rd nominated. By 1941, SMC staff consisted upon a paid President , a Secretary , a Revenue Officer, a Health Officer , and a Municipal Engineer assisted by a large staff of executive employees comprising of supervising and subordinate services of conservancy , health and engineering , besides ministerial staff connected with maintenance of records , compilation of accounts and other clerical work. In the post independence era, the constitutional recognition was given to the process of developing and democratizing local self government institution in J&K State under Article 16 of the J&K State Constitution. In the year 1956, the Srinagar Municipal Committee was converted into Srinagar Municipal Council and governed under J&K Municipal Act Savmat 2008. The Jammu and Kashmir pioneered the concept of structural reforms in the municipal sector and constituted the first Finance Commission in 1987, much before the enactment of the Constitution of India (74th Amendment) Act, 1992, it has considerably and woefully lagged behind in implementing these reforms. As a result the Municipality in State continues to function without elected bodies and remained unchanged as Municipality. The 74th Amendment Act to the Constitution of India opened new vistas to the widening domain an functions of the local self Government institutions. The J&K legislature passed a legislation known as J&K Municipal Corporation Act 2000 incorporating all the functions and duties enshrined in the 74th Amendment Act. In February 2003, the Srinagar Municipality upgraded into Srinagar Municipal Corporation vide Government SRO No: 46 on 18th February 2003 and the post of Administrator, Municipality re-designated as Commissioner, SMC. In February 2005, the State Government conducted municipal elections as per the delimitation made under SRO 291 for 68 electoral wards and the newly elected body emerged. These elections as usual conducted on party basis. The National Conference, People's Democratic Party, Indian National Congress and Independents got 41, 17, 06 and 04 seats respectively. The first Mayor and Deputy Mayor, along with Councilors took the oath of office at S.K.I.C.C. on 2/3/2005 in a big gala of gathering which was attended to by the Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Legislature and senior government officers. No Cantonment or part of cantonment forms a part of any Municipal Committee, Council or Corporation. The duration of Municipal Corporation, in case it is not dissolved on account of incompetence to perform, or persistent default in the performance of lawful duties imposed on it or exceeding and abusing its powers, it is five years. Constitution of India (74th Amendment) Act, 1992,
The Constitution (74th) Amendment Act, 1992 (CAA) has strengthen the municipal institutions throughout the country. The Act provides a constitutional form to the structure and mandate of municipalities to enable them to function as an effective democratic institution of local self-government. Twelfth Schedule not only provides the conventional civic functions in the list of eighteen functions like water supply, sanitation; but also has added the development functions such as planning for social development, social justice and urban poverty alleviation programmes in the list of municipal functions. The list of eighteen functions is as under:
• Urban planning including town planning.
• Regulation of land-use and construction of buildings.
• Planning for economic and social development.
• Roads and bridges.
• Water supply for domestic, industrial and commercial purposes.
• Public health, sanitation conservancy and solid waste management. Fire Services
• Urban forestry, protection of the environment and promotion of ecological
aspects.
• Safeguarding the interests of weaker sections of society, including the handicapped and mentally re****ed.
• Slum improvement and up gradation. Urban poverty alleviation
• Provision of urban amenities and facilities such as parks, gardens, playgrounds.
• Promotion of cultural, educational and aesthetic aspects.
• Burials and burial grounds; cremations, cremation grounds; and electric
crematoriums.
• Cattle pounds; prevention of cruelty to animals.
• Vital statistics including registration of births and deaths.
• Public amenities including street lighting, parking lots, bus stops and public conveniences.
