Kerala Tops in Urban Governance Index (UGI) 2024

Kerala's Performance in the Urban Governance Index (UGI) 2024

• Kerala secures top position with an overall UGI score of 59.31%
• Significant improvement from 2020 when Kerala ranked 4th with 48.77%
• Progress attributed to inclusion of additional cities and key reforms
• Excels in two key areas:

a) Empowered City Elected Representatives and Legislative Structure (18.63/30)

b) Fiscal Empowerment (23.22/30)

• Average UGI score across India: 39.70%
• Other top-ranking states: Odisha, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh
• Bottom-ranking states: Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Chandigarh, and Punjab

Unique Features of Kerala's Urban Governance

• One of four states requiring councillor participation in deliberative committees
• Among nine states empowering local governments to introduce new taxes/charges
• One of 13 states mandating public publication of budgets and accounts
• Mayors authorized to write Annual Confidential Reports for Commissioners
• Municipal laws require councillor participation in subject/standing committees
• Adoption of new technologies to improve service delivery and city management

Areas of Excellence in Kerala's Governance Model

• Strong fiscal empowerment, outperforming other states
• Commitment to participatory governance through inclusive decision-making
• Transparency in governance through public disclosure of financial information
• Accountability measures, such as mayoral oversight of commissioners
• Timely conduct of municipal elections, setting an example for other states
• Effective local-level financial management

Challenges and Areas for Improvement

• Ranked 20th in city administration empowerment, indicating room for improvement
• Vacant positions in local government jobs affecting city management
• Multiple agencies handling functions, reducing city governments' power
• Need for strengthening the mayoral system to enhance decision-making capabilities
• Potential for increasing autonomy of city administrations