SC suggests converting Noida into a metropolitan corporation

The Supreme Court of India has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to consider converting the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) into a metropolitan corporation. The directive comes after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) report flagged issues with NOIDA’s current governance model, which lacks a citizen-centric approach.

The Case for an Elected Body

• Noida, established in 1976 as an industrial township, is currently governed by an unelected authority under the state government, making it the only major city in India without an elected local body.
• This governance model, which concentrates power in the hands of a few officials, has led to a lack of transparency and an inadequate mechanism for addressing residents’ grievances.
• The Constitution (74th Amendment) Act, 1992, mandates that metropolitan areas with a population over 10 lakh should have a municipal corporation. Noida crossed this population threshold in 2010.

The Role of a Metropolitan Corporation

• Unlike the current authority, a metropolitan corporation would be an elected body and the third tier of government, responsible for daily civic functions. These include garbage management, public health, sanitation, street lighting, and other essential services.
• By creating an elected body, the Supreme Court aims to infuse transparency and a citizen-centric approach into the city’s governance. A change of this nature would require an amendment to the Uttar Pradesh Industrial Area Development Act, 1976.
• The court’s recent directive was issued while hearing a case related to alleged collusion between NOIDA officials and builders over inflated land compensation payouts.
• The SIT’s findings highlighted that the authority’s policies often favor developers and that there is a lack of public consultation. To address these concerns immediately, the Supreme Court has also ordered the appointment of a chief vigilance officer and the establishment of a citizen advisory board for Noida.

(Source: IE)