India Needs Empowered Mayors, Not Ceremonial Figures

The 115th executive council meeting of the All India Mayors' Council took place in Panchkula recently. About 45 mayors from all over India participated, and they deliberated on the evolving challenges of urban governance.

The council highlighted the need for a uniform law to empower mayors nationwide. At one time, legal and political stalwarts were mayors- Subas Chandra Bose (Kolkata), Nehru (Allahabad), Kamaraj (Madurai), F K Nariman (Mumbai).

Some of the ways to empower Mayors would be:

• Direct election of Mayors as opposed to being indirectly elected to the post by the councillors.
• Fixed terms: Directly elected mayors be given 5 years term
• Key executive powers to be with the Mayors instead of Commissioners

Countries with good municipal governance such as US, UK and South Africa have strong, empowered mayors.

As urban challenges mount, India must reimagine the role of its mayors. The call for a uniform national law, direct elections, and executive powers for mayors is not just a demand from 45 city leaders-it's a blueprint for stronger cities. If Subhas Bose and Nehru could lead cities once, why can't we give today's mayors the same authority to lead transformative change?