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Assessing India's Urban Systems: Annual Survey of City-Systems (ASICS) 2023

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The Annual Survey of India's City-Systems (ASICS) 2023, published by the Janaagraha Centre, sheds light on the systemic nature of urban challenges in India. This blog dissects the key findings, focusing on urban transitions, financial constraints, power asymmetry, transparency issues, and staff shortages.

Key Findings from ASICS 2023:

  1. Urban Transitions:
    • Census 2011 indicates 31% of India's population in urban areas, emphasizing the need for robust city-systems.
    • Distinguishes between statutory towns and census towns for comprehensive urban planning.
  2. Financial Constraints:
    • Majority of local governments depend on state finances.
    • Limited control over hiring and work distribution.
    • Only Assam empowers city governments to collect key taxes.
  3. Asymmetry of Power Across Cities:
    • Megacities have more financial control but lack directly elected, five-year tenure mayors.
    • Smaller cities' mayors lack financial say despite being directly elected with a five-year tenure.
  4. Limited Power over Staff Appointments:
    • Mayors and councils have limited authority in staff appointments.
    • Few states empower city governments to appoint municipal commissioners.
  5. Lack of Transparency:
    • Only 11 of 35 States/Union Territories have enacted Public Disclosure Laws for civic data.
    • Only 28% of cities publish annual audited financial statements.
  6. Staff Shortage:
    • High levels of unfilled posts, with 35% vacant in municipal corporations.
    • Cities suffer from a lack of control over staff appointments and promotions.
  7. Comparison to Global Cities:
    • Discrepancy in city workers per lakh population between Indian and global cities.
    • Global cities like New York have empowered financial autonomy.

Conclusion: ASICS 2023 offers a critical lens into India's urban systems, emphasizing the need for financial autonomy, transparent governance, and empowered local bodies. Addressing staff shortages and enhancing civic transparency are pivotal for creating resilient and effective city-systems in the country.