After Three Decades of Democratic Decentralisation: Finances of the Urban Local Bodies in Andhra Pradesh

Abstract The Urban Local Bodies (UPBs) in recent years have played a vital role in urban transformation. The 74th Amendment to the Constitution of India has vested constitutional status to impart certainty, continuity and strength, for devolution of powers to the ULBs and for allotment of adequate resources. In Andhra Pradesh, the ULBs have been instrumental in promoting various socio-economic development programmes. The state has adopted three-tier ULBs in the state. The broad objective of this paper is to examine the financial position of the ULBs and the extent of devolution in the state of Andhra Pradesh, particularly, since 2014, when the Residuary State of Andhra Pradesh came into being. Using a mixed-method approach, it argues that the resource base of the ULBs need to be improved substantially to deliver proper services to the urban population. This has serious implications for Urban Governance.