Table of Contents
Introduction
In a significant achievement, Kerala has secured the top position in the Urban Governance Index (UGI), an indicator of the state’s strong performance in managing urban areas. Released by the Praja Foundation, the UGI ranks states based on how efficiently their cities are governed. The index takes into account factors like financial management, planning, and the effectiveness of city administration. Kerala’s rise to the top underscores its growing reputation for sustainable urban governance, while also highlighting areas where it can improve, especially in terms of city-level administrative empowerment.
What is the Urban Governance Index (UGI)?
The Urban Governance Index (UGI) is an exhaustive study that evaluates how well cities across India are governed. This research spans over two years and looks into various dimensions of urban governance, such as fiscal empowerment, political leadership, and administrative efficiency. By assessing these factors, the UGI helps identify strengths and weaknesses in how cities are run, which in turn can guide reforms, attract investments, and improve sustainability.
In the 2024 edition of the UGI, Kerala scored 59.31 out of 100, edging out Odisha, which came in second with a score of 55.10. Kerala’s high ranking demonstrates its ability to manage resources efficiently at the local level, an achievement that other states can learn from. However, Kerala’s UGI ranking also reflects some challenges, particularly in city administration, where it ranked lower despite its financial strengths.
Kerala’s Financial Strength: A Key Factor in Its Success
One of the key areas where Kerala performed exceptionally well in the UGI is fiscal empowerment. This category measures how well a state manages its financial resources, which is crucial for the delivery of public services, infrastructure development, and overall economic health. Kerala scored 23.22 out of 30 in fiscal empowerment, outperforming larger and more economically developed states like Maharashtra, which scored 21.15.
This strong performance indicates that Kerala has a solid framework for managing its finances at the local level. The state’s ability to plan and execute its budget effectively ensures that funds are allocated where they are most needed, such as in public health, education, and infrastructure. Kerala’s financial management is closely linked to its broader developmental model, which focuses on decentralized planning and governance. This approach empowers local governments, enabling them to make decisions based on the needs of their communities.
Despite this success, Kerala’s rank of 20th in city administration empowerment highlights an area for improvement. While the state excels in managing its finances, it still needs to work on empowering its city administrations to operate more independently. Strengthening city-level governance would enable more responsive and effective management of urban areas.
Local Governance Practices: Engaging City Councillors
Kerala stands out in the UGI for its commitment to inclusive and active local governance. It is one of only four states in India where every city councillor is required to participate in at least one deliberative committee. These committees play a crucial role in local government, as they provide a platform for councillors to debate and discuss various issues affecting their cities. This practice ensures that elected representatives are actively involved in the governance process, contributing to more transparent and accountable decision-making.
Additionally, Kerala allows mayors to write yearly reports on the performance of city commissioners. This is an important mechanism for holding city administrations accountable and ensuring that they are meeting their performance targets. It also provides a direct line of communication between political leaders and administrative officials, fostering a more collaborative approach to governance.
Kerala has also embraced technology to enhance its local governance. The report by the Praja Foundation highlights that states like Kerala are adopting new technologies to improve how local governments provide services and manage their cities. From e-governance platforms to digital payment systems, these innovations are helping Kerala make its urban areas more efficient and responsive to citizens’ needs.
Challenges Kerala Faces in Urban Governance
Despite its top rank in the UGI, Kerala faces several challenges in urban governance. One major issue is the vacant positions in local government jobs. The lack of adequate staffing can significantly affect the functioning of city administrations, as it limits their capacity to manage daily operations and long-term planning effectively. Addressing this issue by filling these vacancies is crucial to ensuring that Kerala’s cities can continue to grow and thrive.
Another challenge is the overlap of functions between multiple agencies. In many of Kerala’s cities, responsibilities such as waste management, water supply, and public transportation are shared between various government agencies. This fragmentation can lead to inefficiencies, as it reduces the power of city governments to coordinate services effectively. To resolve this issue, Kerala could consider consolidating these functions under the authority of city governments, giving them more control over the management of urban services.
Kerala also faces the common issue of a weak mayoral system, which is prevalent across many Indian states. In most cases, mayors do not have enough authority to make key decisions independently, limiting their ability to implement reforms or manage their cities effectively. Strengthening the role of mayors by giving them more executive powers could improve the quality of governance in Kerala’s cities, making them more responsive to the needs of their residents.
The Importance of Timely Municipal Elections
One of the areas where Kerala shines in comparison to other states is its commitment to holding timely municipal elections. In many parts of India, municipal elections are often delayed, which can leave cities without elected local governments for extended periods. This not only disrupts the continuity of governance but also undermines the democratic process.
Kerala, however, has consistently held its municipal elections on time, ensuring that its cities have elected leaders who can make decisions and implement policies. This commitment to democratic governance has helped Kerala maintain a high standard of urban management, contributing to its top rank in the UGI.
Kerala’s Path Forward in Urban Governance
While Kerala has much to be proud of in its performance in the UGI, there are still areas where the state can improve. Strengthening city-level administration, addressing vacancies in local government, and consolidating overlapping functions are some of the steps Kerala can take to further enhance its urban governance.
The state’s success in fiscal empowerment provides a strong foundation for these improvements. By continuing to innovate in areas like e-governance and responsible budgeting, Kerala can maintain its leadership in urban governance and set an example for other states in India.
Moreover, Kerala’s commitment to inclusive governance practices, such as the participation of councillors in deliberative committees and the use of performance reports by mayors, shows that the state is serious about engaging its local governments. These practices, combined with a focus on sustainability and financial responsibility, position Kerala as a model for urban governance in India.
Conclusion
Kerala’s top rank in the Urban Governance Index is a testament to the state’s commitment to managing its cities effectively and responsibly. By excelling in fiscal empowerment and engaging local governments, Kerala has demonstrated that it is possible to balance economic growth with sustainable urban management. However, challenges remain, and the state must continue to innovate and improve, particularly in the areas of city administration and local government capacity.
As Kerala continues to strengthen its urban governance, it has the potential to serve as a model for other states and countries looking to improve the management of their cities. With a focus on sustainability, innovation, and inclusive governance, Kerala is well on its way to ensuring a brighter future for its urban areas.
