Did the MP Municipal (Amendment) Act pass without opposition on the second day of the state Assembly?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The passage of the Madhya Pradesh Municipal Laws (Amendment) Act-2025 marks a significant shift towards direct elections for municipal leadership. With support across party lines, this amendment aims to enhance electoral transparency. However, concerns regarding potential corruption remain.
Key Takeaways
- Direct elections for municipal chairpersons are now mandated.
- The amendment was passed unanimously in the state Assembly.
- Concerns about corruption in local governance persist.
- The previous election system involved indirect voting by councillors.
- This reform aims to enhance transparency in local elections.
Bhopal, Dec 2 (NationPress) The Madhya Pradesh Municipal Laws (Amendment) Act-2025 has been approved, facilitating direct elections for the roles of Chairperson of Nagar Palika and Nagar Parishad. This decision came after a productive discussion in the state Assembly on Tuesday.
During the debate, the state's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who also serves as the Urban Affairs and Housing Minister, indicated that this legislation, originally enacted by the previous Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh's Congress administration, has been modified.
Vijayvargiya stated, "This law, which was instituted under Digvijaya Singh's leadership to realize the vision of the late former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, has now been revised."
The Minister further questioned, "Will Rahul Gandhi's faction oppose this Bill?"
In response, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the assembly, Umang Singhar, clarified that the Congress is not against the Amendment, but has proposed several enhancements.
BJP MLA and Minister of State for Urban Administration Pratima Bagri expressed satisfaction with the broad support from the Opposition, leading to the Bill's unanimous passage.
Bagri emphasized that this reform will enhance transparency in municipal elections.
Despite this, senior Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya remarked that the Municipal (Amendment) Act-2025 will not curb the unethical trading of Councillors.
Baraiya asserted, "This Act will not alter the ongoing horse trading of corporators."
The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, had approved a proposal last week to present the Municipal Laws (Amendment) Bill in the state Assembly concerning the electoral process for the Chairperson roles via direct voting.
From 1999 to 2014, voters directly elected individuals to these positions in the state.
However, in 2022, these elections shifted to an indirect voting system conducted by elected ward councillors.
Notably, the election of mayors continues to be executed through direct voting by the populace.
Point of View
Concerns about corruption and the effectiveness of this amendment will be critical as the state moves forward. It highlights the ongoing debates surrounding electoral integrity and accountability in local governance.
NationPress
02/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Madhya Pradesh Municipal Laws (Amendment) Act-2025?
The Madhya Pradesh Municipal Laws (Amendment) Act-2025 facilitates direct elections for Chairpersons of Nagar Palika and Nagar Parishad, aimed at enhancing electoral transparency.
Who passed the amendment?
The amendment was passed unanimously in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly after a thorough debate.
What are the implications of this amendment?
This amendment is expected to improve transparency in municipal elections, though concerns about corruption continue to be voiced.
How were elections conducted prior to this amendment?
Prior to this amendment, elections for these posts were conducted indirectly by elected ward councillors since 2022.
Who was the Parliamentary Affairs Minister during the debate?
The Parliamentary Affairs Minister during the debate was Kailash Vijayvargiya.
