Mayors from across India have come together in Chandigarh with one clear demand — the same tenure, powers and facilities for every Mayor in the country. The demand was raised at the All India Mayors Conference, which began in Chandigarh on Monday.
Around 40 mayors from different cities across 19 states are taking part in the conference. The gathering puts a spotlight on how differently the Mayor's post works in different cities, and why the mayors want a single, uniform system.
Why Mayors Want Uniform Tenure and Powers
The core demand at the conference is simple. Mayors want their tenure, powers and facilities to be the same everywhere. Right now, the rules differ from city to city, and the mayors want this changed.
Punjab Governor and UT Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria spoke at the event. He said the Chandigarh Administration had also sent a proposal to extend the tenure of the Mayor in Chandigarh. He added that it was up to the Centre to take a decision on the matter.
Governor Calls for Decentralisation in Local Bodies
Kataria also suggested decentralisation of powers in local bodies. This means giving more decision-making power to local bodies instead of keeping it concentrated at higher levels.
He advised the Mayors to work for the betterment of cities. He said mayors had a big responsibility to run cities while taking along councillors of all parties. His point was clear — a Mayor cannot run a city alone and needs support from councillors across party lines.
Talking about Chandigarh, he said all city buses would be replaced with electric buses.
What This Means for City Governance
The conference brings together mayors from 19 states on one platform. Their demand for uniform tenure, powers and facilities is not just about their own posts. It is about how cities are run and how much authority local leaders actually have.
- The demand covers three things — tenure, powers and facilities for Mayors
- Around 40 mayors from 19 states are attending the conference
- Chandigarh has already sent a proposal to extend the Mayor's tenure
- The Centre holds the final say on the tenure decision
- The Governor pushed for decentralisation of powers in local bodies
Our Take: A Fair Demand That Needs Centre's Attention
In our view, the demand for uniform tenure, powers and facilities for Mayors is a fair one. If a Mayor in one city gets a longer term and more authority than a Mayor in another city, it creates confusion and weakens local governance. Cities are where most people live, and the people running them need clear rules and real power.
To put it plainly, the Centre should look at this demand seriously. The Chandigarh proposal to extend the Mayor's tenure is a step in that direction, but one city alone is not enough. A uniform national framework would help every city, not just a few.
The Governor's suggestion on decentralisation also deserves attention. Giving more powers to local bodies means decisions get made closer to the people they affect. That is usually a good thing.
What should readers take away from this? The next time you vote in a local body election, remember that the person you elect as Mayor may not have the powers or the time to deliver what you expect. Until the rules change, that gap will remain. The mayors at this conference are asking for the tools to do their job properly — and that is a demand worth listening to.
