Our Municipality started its journey in the year 1899 but due to scarcity of required capital our Municipality could not serve the people properly. Municipalities were self-governed local bodies without adequate financial resources except holding taxes and other fees. This situation continued even after Independence for nearly three to four decades.

Municipal bodies were accorded constitutional status through the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, with clearly defined duties and responsibilities. A major change came in 1977 with the decentralization initiatives of the Government of West Bengal, enabling Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to expand civic services and encourage greater public participation.

Since the 1980s, the Government has provided significant assistance to Municipal Corporations and Urban Local Bodies, making them the implementing agencies for development projects with active community participation.

Municipalities successfully executed projects such as CUDP-III, 8th Plan Programme, NSDP, 12th Finance Commission, State Finance Commission and several other Government schemes. These initiatives significantly improved civic infrastructure and enhanced essential public services across municipalities.

Although substantial progress has been made, considerable challenges still remain. Development is a continuous process and requires sustained planning, financial resources, and public participation. Planning and development have increasingly been decentralized, with projects being designed according to the primary needs of the citizens.

In accordance with the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, Urban Local Bodies are required to prepare five-year Development Plans. Under the KUSP Programme and with the support of the Change Management Unit (CMU), municipalities have undertaken systematic planning to strengthen urban governance and improve civic amenities.

Key priority areas include improvement of drainage and sewerage systems, prevention of waterlogging, solid waste management, road infrastructure, and safe drinking water supply. The Municipality is also committed to strengthening institutional capacity, adopting scientific asset management practices, and ensuring long-term sustainability of public infrastructure.

We remain committed to transparency and citizen-centric governance by publishing the Citizen Charter and providing application forms in multiple languages, including Urdu, to ensure accessibility for all communities. Continuous efforts are also being made to improve socio-economic conditions through skill development, employment generation, and micro-enterprise training programmes.

Ultimately, the sustainable development of our Municipality depends upon active citizen participation, public awareness, and responsible financial management. Together, we can build a cleaner, healthier, and more progressive Kamarhati.