RAS question
The Rajasthan Municipalities Act was enacted in:
Correct answer: (D) 2009.
The Rajasthan Municipalities Act was enacted in 2009 to govern municipalities and urban local bodies in Rajasthan.
Explanation
The Rajasthan Municipalities Act forms part of Rajasthan's urban local-government framework. It was enacted on 11 September 2009. The report of the Sixth State Finance Commission, Rajasthan states that the State Government enacted the 2009 Act, with the 74th Constitutional Amendment in view, after repealing the earlier 1959 Act. The Act gives municipalities wide-ranging powers and functions and contains provisions on economic and development planning, urban development, town planning, municipal powers and offences. It governs urban local bodies. Therefore, of the four year options, only 2009 is correct.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) 2015 is incorrect because the report of the Sixth State Finance Commission, Rajasthan identifies the relevant law as the Rajasthan Municipalities Act, 2009, not a 2015 enactment.
- (B) 1994 is incorrect because the report associates that year with the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, whereas the Rajasthan Municipalities Act was enacted in 2009.
- (C) 2000 is incorrect because the report of the Sixth State Finance Commission, Rajasthan states that the Rajasthan Municipalities Act was enacted in 2009, not in 2000.
Concept
This question requires an understanding of Rajasthan's local self-government framework, especially the distinction between Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies. It is relevant to RAS because municipal administration, decentralisation and the 74th Constitutional Amendment are core themes in Rajasthan polity.