On January 16, 2025, the Government of Madhya Pradesh introduced the Madhya Pradesh Municipalities (Second Amendment) Act, 2024 to amend the Madhya Pradesh Municipalities Act, 1961.
This amendment introduces several key changes aimed at refining the governance framework of municipal councils across the state.
Key Amendments:
Amendment to Section 43-A
The primary amendment modifies Section 43-A of the Municipalities Act, which deals with the procedure for a motion of no-confidence against the Vice-President or Speaker of a Municipal Council. The new changes include:
- Threshold for No-Confidence Motion: The requirement for the majority needed to pass a no-confidence motion has increased. Previously, a two-thirds majority of elected councillors present was sufficient. Now, the motion will require a three-fourths majority of elected councillors present and voting.
- Time Frame for No-Confidence Motions: The period during which a no-confidence motion cannot be moved has also been extended. The new amendment increases the waiting period from two years to three years after a Vice-President takes office or after a previous no-confidence motion was rejected.
Impact on Governance
These changes aim to ensure that a significant majority of the elected body agrees on the need for a no-confidence motion before it can be passed. By extending the waiting period and raising the majority required, the amendment seeks to provide greater stability in municipal leadership, reducing the frequency of leadership changes based on dissatisfaction.
Repeal and Saving Clause
The amendment also formally repeals the Madhya Pradesh Municipalities (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2024. However, any actions taken under the ordinance will still be considered valid and deemed as actions taken under the new Act.
Why This Matters:
This amendment enhances the procedural integrity of no-confidence motions within municipal councils, ensuring that leadership changes are well-supported and not subject to frequent destabilization. By raising the threshold and lengthening the waiting period, the government is aiming for more thoughtful and considered motions, which can contribute to better governance and more stable local administration.
The Act came into force after receiving the Governor’s assent on January 15, 2025, and was published in the Madhya Pradesh Gazette (Extra-ordinary) on January 16, 2025.
