Unified Municipal Framework to Boost Efficiency, Transparency in Urban Local Bodies
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh–
The Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of CM Nayab Singh Saini here today, approved a major reform in urban governance by introducing the Haryana Municipal Bill, 2025, aimed at replacing the existing Haryana Municipal Act, 1973 and the Haryana Municipal Corporation Act, 1994.
The new unified Act has been drafted to bring all categories of municipalities—Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Municipal Committees—under a single legal framework. At present, 87 municipalities in the state function under two separate Acts, causing administrative complexities, inconsistent service delivery and challenges in interpretation of rules. The department has undertaken extensive consultations over the past two years to prepare the draft legislation, incorporating relevant provisions from the Model Municipal Law circulated by the Government of India.
The Haryana Municipal Bill, 2025 aims to streamline governance, remove ambiguities, modernize municipal administration and strengthen financial autonomy of urban local bodies. Key provisions include empowering municipalities to determine taxes and fees between minimum and maximum government-fixed rates; provisions for credit rating to facilitate market borrowings etc.
The Act also introduces provisions for urban transport planning, urban forestry, and the prohibition of illegal colonies similar to the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975. For municipal staff, the Act proposes common service rules to reduce litigation arising from transfers and promotions under separate legal frameworks. Additionally, a provision has been made for the appointment of a municipal magistrate for the trial of municipal offences, and penalties/fines for various violations have been enhanced.
The initiative marks a significant step towards establishing a modern, uniform and efficient municipal governance system across Haryana, aligned with current and future needs of urbanisation.