Chandigarh, October 5:- The Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, Sh. Gulab Chand Kataria, today attended the 118th All-India Mayors Council in Chandigarh and called for strengthening urban local bodies with adequate powers, resources, technology and administrative capacity, along with effective coordination between elected representatives and officials. He said strong mayors, empowered municipal bodies and active citizens are essential for building clean, green, safe, inclusive and self-reliant cities and contributing to a developed India.

The meeting brought together mayors from across the country to share experiences and discuss common urban challenges. Shri Kataria said the Council’s strength lies in collective discussion and exchange of best practices, enabling mayors to learn from one another and adapt successful models to local requirements. He noted that cities face common challenges relating to sanitation, water, sewerage, traffic, waste management, pollution, green spaces, housing, healthcare, welfare of the urban poor and digital services.

Recalling the Council’s role, Sh. Kataria noted that the All-India Mayors Council was established in 1962 to strengthen urban administration and provide a common platform for mayors. He also stressed that public authority must be exercised in the public interest, with Municipal Corporations and Local Bodies functioning with morality, compassion and humanity while remaining within the law. He said mayors must remain connected with citizens, listen to their concerns and work for their welfare, while humanitarian circumstances should also be considered alongside legal and regulatory aspects when dealing with violations.

Highlighting Chandigarh’s development since its foundation in 1952, the Administrator said the city has emerged as an important example of planned urban development, with continued efforts in civic amenities, cleanliness, water management and environmental protection. He highlighted its achievements in e-mobility and energy conservation, including recognition as the Best Union Territory for electric vehicles and Most EV-Ready City, first position in the National Energy Conservation Awards 2025, and becoming the first city to achieve 100 per cent solar coverage of all government buildings.

Sh. Kataria also highlighted Chandigarh’s second position in the Super Swachh League, Daddu Majra waste-management project and Compressed Bio-Gas Plant, along with large-scale rehabilitation and affordable housing that made the city India’s first slum-free city. He said sustained plantation and public participation, along with administrative efforts, have increased the city’s green cover to 51 per cent, and urged citizens to nurture and protect the trees they plant.

Ms. Renu Bala Gupta, Chairperson, All-India Mayors Council, shared her experiences and views on the functioning of Mayors across the country and appreciated Chandigarh as one of the most beautiful and well-planned cities in India. She said the deliberations of the Conference were aimed at strengthening the role and responsibilities of Mayors, including enhancing their powers and ensuring a uniform tenure. She emphasised the need for full and effective implementation of the 74th Constitutional Amendment, while acknowledging that municipalities across India operate under diverse geographical and administrative conditions, resulting in variations in civic service delivery. She advocated uniformity in the tenure, roles, responsibilities, powers and selection process of Mayors across the country. She further informed that the All-India Mayors Council regularly organises training and orientation programmes for Mayors and would continue to conduct such seminars and knowledge-sharing initiatives in the future.

Sh. Naveen Jain, Member of Rajya Sabha and Regional Head of AIMC, strongly advocated a uniform five-year tenure for Mayors across the country, along with clearly defined and uniform roles, responsibilities and powers. He emphasised that the provisions of the 74th Constitutional Amendment should be implemented in letter and spirit to empower urban local bodies and strengthen the institution of Mayors as an important pillar of urban governance.

Shri Ashutosh Varshney, General Secretary, All-India Mayors Council, highlighted the remarkable growth of the organisation, stating that the Council, which began with just seven Mayors, has now expanded to 266 Mayors across India. He advocated extending pensionary benefits to Mayors on the lines of Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies, recognising their contribution to urban governance. He also informed that the All-India Mayors Council organises four meetings every year at different locations across the country, providing a platform for Mayors to exchange experiences, share best practices and deliberate upon issues concerning urban development.

Mayor of Chandigarh Sh. Saurabh Joshi highlighted the wide variations in the tenure, powers and selection process of Mayors across different States in the country. He pointed out that the tenure of Mayors varies from one year, two years and two-and-a-half years to five years in different States. He emphasised the need for a uniform and transparent system for the selection of Mayors across India, noting that while Mayors are directly elected by citizens in some States, in others they are elected by elected Councillors. He stressed that greater uniformity in the institutional framework, tenure, powers and responsibilities of Mayors would further strengthen urban local governance and enable them to effectively address the growing needs of cities.

Presenting the vote of thanks, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh, Shri Amit Kumar, IAS, expressed his gratitude to the Chief Guest, distinguished guests, Mayors and delegates for their participation and valuable contributions to the Conference. He highlighted Chandigarh’s achievements in scientific waste management and informed that the Municipal Corporation has achieved 100 per cent processing capacity for municipal solid waste. He further stated that Chandigarh has been selected under the Pragati Shahar-50 initiative on the basis of its performance in sanitation and development parameters, reflecting the city’s continued progress towards sustainable and citizen-centric urban development.

The Commissioner also highlighted the strict action being taken by the Chandigarh Administration against offenders under the Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan, in accordance with the directions of the Administrator, including action against properties of persons involved in such activities. He said such coordinated efforts demonstrate the Administration’s commitment towards creating a safe, healthy and responsible urban environment for citizens.

The Mayors later visited various projects and best practices of Municipal Corporation Chandigarh including ICCC, Rose Garden, Capitol Complex, Air Museum, Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake etc. and appreciated the initiatives and best practices taken by the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh. They also planted saplings of flowering plants at Ros Garden near Under Pass.

Other Dignitoris and Mayors were present including Smt. Kirron Kher, Former Member Parliament, UT, Chandigarh,
Sh. Manoj Gupta, Secretary for All India Council for Mayors (AICM)
Shri.Naveen Jain, Ex mayor of Agra,Member of Rajya Sabha, UP and Regional Head, AIMC,
Shri. Ashutosh Varshney, Ex-Mayor of Aligarh & Ex. Chairman of AICM, UP
Mrs. Renu Bala Gupta, Mayor of Karnal, HR
DR. Manglesh Srivastav, Mayor of Gorakhpur, UP
Shri.Mrigen Sarania, Mayor of Guwahati, Assam
Shri. Pushyamitra Bhargav, Mayor of Indore, MP
Mrs. Mayaben Dharmendrabhai Mavani, Mayor of Surat, Gujrat
Mrs. Inderjit Kaur, Mayor of Ludhiana, Punjab
Mrs. Meenal Choubey, Mayor of Raipur, Chhattisgarh
Mrs. Pooja Vidani, Mayor of Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh
Mrs. Tshering Palden Bhutia, Mayor of Gangtok, Sikkim
Mrs. Neeta Rajendra Thakre, Mayor of Nagpur, Maharashtra
Shri. G.Udhaya Kumar, Mayor of Avadi, Tamilnadu
Mr. Rajeev Jain, Mayor of Sonipat, HR
Mrs. Rooprani Sangramsinh Nikam, Mayor of Kolhapur, Maharashtra
Shri. Nandlal Devgan, Mayor of Birgaon, Chhattisgarh
Mrs. Parveen Batra Joshi, Mayor of Faridabad, HR
Shri. Vinod Aggarwal, Mayor of Moradabad, UP
Shri.Shambhu Passwan, Mayor of Rishikesh, UK
Mrs Anita Aggarwal, Mayor of Roorkee, UK
Shri.Yogesh Kumar Tamrakar, Mayor of Satna, MP
Mr. V.V Rajesh, Mayor of Thirunvanthapuram, Kerala
Mrs. Nirmala Sahu, Mayor of Muzaffarpur, Bihar
Shri. Shyam Lal Bansal, Mayor of Panchkula, HR
Sh. Surinder Chauhan, Mayor of Shimla, HP
Shri. Sarabjeet Singh Samana, Mayor of Mohali, PB
Shri. Mukesh Tatwal, Mayor of Ujjain, MP
Shri. Hasanpreet Bhardwaj, Mayor of Barnala, PB
Mrs. Pooja Wadhwa, Mayor of Abohar, PB
Mrs. Suman Thakur, Mayor of Mandi, HP
Mrs. Sita Sahu, Mayor of Patna,BH
Mrs. Akshita Saini, Mayor of Ambala, HR.