Overview
- Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari introduced a Private Member’s Bill in the Lok Sabha to replace the one-year mayoral system with a five-year tenure for the Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
- The proposal seeks direct election of the three top municipal posts and a Mayor-in-Council structure with defined executive powers.
- The Bill would amend the Punjab Municipal Corporation Law (Extension to Chandigarh) Act and related provisions governing elections, vacancies, removals, no-confidence motions and administrative authority.
- Provisions outlined include two-thirds support for removal, application of the anti-defection law to councillors and mayoral officers, and mayoral oversight of officials’ annual confidential reports.
- The move draws on a 2018 Cabinet Secretariat committee recommendation for five-year mayoral terms in Union Territories and will likely face scrutiny requiring cross-party support and possible Standing Committee review.