Consider the following functions

1. Urban planning including town planning.

2. Regulation of land use and construction of buildings.

3. Planning for economic and social development.

4. Roads and bridges.

The Twelfth Schedule of the Constitution lists the various Functions of Municipalities. Which of the above functions are included in the schedule?

The correct answer is 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Key PointsTwelfth Schedule:

• There are 12 Schedules in the Constitution of India.
• When the Indian constitution was adopted in 1949, it consisted of 8 Schedules.
• Today, with the amendments in the Indian Constitution, there are a total of 12 Schedules. 

The Twelfth Schedule of the Constitution lists the various Functions of Municipalities. These are:

• Urban planning including town planning.
• Regulation of land use and construction of buildings.
• Planning for economic and social development.
• Roads and bridges.
• Water supply for domestic, industrial, and commercial purposes.
• Public health, sanitation conservancy, and solid waste management.
• Fire services.
• Urban forestry, protection of the environment, and promotion of ecological aspects.
• Safeguarding the interests of weaker sections of society, including the handicapped and mentally retarded.
• Slum improvement and upgradation.
• Urban poverty alleviation.
• Provision of urban amenities and facilities such as parks, gardens, and playgrounds.
• Promotion of cultural, educational, and aesthetic aspects.
• Burials and burial grounds; cremations, cremation grounds; and electric crematoriums.
• Cattle pounds; prevention of cruelty to animals.
• Vital statistics including registration of births and deaths.
• Public amenities including street lighting, parking lots, bus stops, and public conveniences.
• Regulation of slaughter houses and tanneries.
• Of these, some functions are obligatory in nature and some others are discretionary.
• Further, there is a wide variance between states in terms of the assignment of overall functions and within that, obligatory and discretionary functions, to the municipalities.