Article 243S Simplified: Constitution and composition of Wards Committees, etc

Official Text

(1) There shall be constituted Wards Committees, consisting of one or more wards, within the territorial area of a Municipality having a population of three lakhs or more. (2) The Legislature of a State may, by law, make provision with respect to— (a) the composition and the territorial area of a Wards Committee; (b) the manner in which the seats in a Wards Committee shall be filled. (3) A member of a Municipality representing a ward within the territorial area of the Wards Committee shall be a member of that Committee. (4) Where a Wards Committee consists of— (a) one ward, the member representing that ward in the Municipality; or (b) two or more wards, one of the members representing such wards in the Municipality elected by the members of the Wards Committee, shall be the Chairperson of that Committee. (5) Nothing in this article shall be deemed to prevent the Legislature of a State from making any provision for the constitution of Committees in addition to the Wards Committees.

Simple Meaning

Article 243S requires the creation of Wards Committees in all municipalities with a population of 3 lakhs (300,000) or more. These committees consist of one or more wards, are composed of the elected ward councillors, and are chaired by a councillor representing a ward within that committee's area.

Explain Like Ten

When a city becomes very big (with more than 300,000 people), it sets up Wards Committees. These committees help solve local neighborhood problems (like garbage or bad roads) quickly and close to home.

Student Mode

Article 243S mandates the constitution of Wards Committees within the territorial area of a Municipality having a population of three lakhs (300,000) or more. The state legislature is empowered to legislate on their composition, territorial area, and seat-filling. It requires that the elected councillor of a ward must be a member of the Wards Committee for that ward, and provides chairperson selection rules.

Example

In a major city like Pune (population over 3 lakhs), the municipal area is divided into ward clusters. Each cluster has a Wards Committee consisting of the ward councillors to resolve local public health, drainage, and road repair issues directly with residents.

Key Takeaway

Article 243S decentralizes urban governance in larger cities by creating ward-level committees to address local civic issues directly.

FAQs

What is the population threshold for forming a Wards Committee?

Under Article 243S(1), a Wards Committee must be constituted in any Municipality that has a population of three lakhs (300,000) or more.

Who serves as the Chairperson of a Wards Committee?

If the committee covers one ward, the councillor representing that ward in the municipality is chairperson. If it covers two or more wards, the members of the Wards Committee elect one of the elected councillors of those wards to be the chairperson.

Quiz

What is the minimum population a municipality must have to mandate a Wards Committee under Article 243S?

Answer: 3 lakhs

Who must be included as a member of a Wards Committee under Article 243S?

Answer: The municipal member (councillor) representing that ward

Related Topics

• Article 243R
• Article 243W