In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires—
(a) “Municipality” means an institution of self-government for a city, town or other urban area; and
(b) “Ward” means an electoral constituency within a Municipality as may be specified by the State Legislature.
There shall be constituted in every State—
(a) a Nagar Panchayat for a transitional area;
(b) a Municipal Council for a smaller urban area; and
(c) a Municipal Corporation for a larger urban area,
in accordance with such principles as the Legislature of the State may, by law, specify.
Municipalities shall consist of members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the municipal area in such manner as the Legislature of the State may provide.
(1) Seats shall be reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in every Municipality in proportion to their population.
(2) Seats may also be reserved for women in every Municipality at all levels in such manner as the Legislature of the State may provide.
Every Municipality shall continue for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting and no Municipality shall continue beyond its term.
The Legislature of a State may endow Municipalities with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self-government and to perform the functions assigned to them under the Twelfth Schedule.
Municipalities may levy, collect and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls, and fees in accordance with the law made by the Legislature of the State.
The State Election Commission shall direct, control and prepare for, and conduct, all elections to the Municipalities and to the offices of Chairpersons of Municipalities at different levels.
The provisions of this Part shall apply to the Union Territories in such manner as Parliament may, by law, provide.
The Legislature of a State may, by law, confer on Municipalities at different levels such powers and responsibilities as may be necessary for effective functioning.
There shall be constituted in every district a District Planning Committee to consolidate the plans prepared by Municipalities and Panchayats and to prepare a draft development plan for the district as a whole.
In every metropolitan area, a Metropolitan Planning Committee shall be constituted to prepare a draft development plan for the metropolitan area as a whole.
The Governor of a State shall, within one year from the commencement of this Part, constitute a Finance Commission to review the financial position of the Municipalities and recommend measures needed to improve their financial resources.
The Municipalities shall prepare plans for economic development and social justice, including the integrated development plan for the municipal area, in accordance with the law made by the Legislature of the State.
The provisions of this Part shall apply to the Union Territories in such manner as Parliament may, by law, provide.