Vidhi Codex

The Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1964

The Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1964

Infrastructure1964410 sections17 chapters

This law establishes the framework for local self-government in the state of Karnataka. It governs the administration of city municipal councils, town panchayats, and other local bodies, providing rules for their structure, powers, and functions. The Act is essential for managing urban development, collecting property taxes, and ensuring basic civic services like sanitation and infrastructure are delivered effectively to residents. By defining how these local governments operate, it empowers citizens to participate in local decision-making and ensures organized growth and governance at the grassroots level.

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Chapter II CONSTITUTION OF 1[MUNICIPAL AREAS]1 →

  1. 16General disqualifications for becoming a councillor
  2. 16AAccount of election expenses and maximum thereof
  3. 16BLodging of account with the returning officer
  4. 16CFailure to lodge an account of election expenses
  5. 17General election of Councillors
  6. 18Term of office of Councillors
  7. 18AAllowances to Councillors
  8. 19Casual vacancies how to be filled up
  9. 20Publication of results of elections
  10. 21Election Petitions
  11. 22Relief that may be claimed by the petitioner
  12. 23Grounds for declaring elections to be void
  13. 24Procedure to be followed by the Election Tribunal
  14. 25Decision of the Election Tribunal
  15. 26Procedure in case of equality of votes
  16. 27Appeal
  17. 28Election valid unless called in question
  18. 29Corrupt practices
  19. 30Maintenance of secrecy of voting
  20. 31Officers, etc., at elections not to act for candidates or to influence voting
  21. 32Prohibition of canvassing in or near polling stations
  22. 33Penalty for disorderly conduct in or near polling stations
  23. 34Penalty for misconduct at the polling station
  24. 35Breaches of official duty in connection with elections
  25. 36Removal of ballot papers from polling station to be an offence
  26. 37Other offences and penalties therefor
  27. 38Control of elections
  28. 38AReturning Officer, Presiding Officer etc. deemed to be on deputation to State Election Commission
  29. 38BVoting machine at elections
  30. 39Bar of suits relating to elections, etc.
  31. 40Resignation
  32. 41Liability to removal from office
  33. 42President and vice-president
  34. 43Functions of President
  35. 44Functions of vice-president
  36. 45Rights and privileges of individual councillors and President
  37. 46Penalty for refusal to hand over charge to new president or vice-president

Chapter III TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL →

  1. 47Meeting
  2. 48Notice of meetings and business
  3. 49Place of holding meetings and maintenance of order thereat
  4. 50Quorum
  5. 51Presiding Officer
  6. 52Method of deciding questions
  7. 53Business to be transacted at meetings and order of business how to be settled
  8. 54Minutes of proceedings
  9. 55Councillors not to vote on matter in which they are interested
  10. 56Adjournment of meetings
  11. 57Modification and cancellation of resolutions
  12. 58Motions and amendments
  13. 59Conduct of ordinary meetings
  14. 60Notice of business to be transacted must in certain cases be given to the Government Executive Engineer
  15. 61Certain Government officers may attend meetings of municipal council
  16. 62Interpellation
  17. 65Casual vacancies
  18. 66Chairman of Standing Committee
  19. 67Procedure at meetings
  20. 68Procedure by circulation
  21. 69Subordination of committees to instructions of municipal council and compliance with requisitions of municipal council
  22. 70Powers, duties and functions may be delegated to officers whose expenses may be paid
  23. 71Joint committees of local bodies and joint levy of toll
  24. 71AStaff of municipal council
  25. 72Competency of municipal council to lease, sell and contract
  26. 73Transfer of property may be subject to conditions
  27. 74Contracts by officers appointed by Government to execute municipal works and payment for such works
  28. 75Compulsory acquisition of land
  29. 76Municipal fund ordinarily liable for all costs and expenses incurred by municipal councils
  30. 77Officer or servant of municipal council not to be interested in any contract with such municipal council
  31. 78Penalty for councillor being interested in any contract, etc., with the municipal council
  32. 79Councillors, etc., to be deemed public servants
  33. 80Validity of proceedings

Chapter III-A NEIGHBOURHOOD GROUP, AREA SABHA AND WARD COMMITTEE →

  1. 80ADefinitions and application
  2. 80BConstitution of Neighbourhood group
  3. 80CMeetings of the Neighbourhood Group
  4. 80DRepresentative of the Neighbourhood group, term of office and allowance
  5. 80EPowers and functions of the Neighbourhood group
  6. 80FRemoval of representative/additional representative of the neighbourhood group
  7. 80GConstitution of Area Sabhas
  8. 80HMeetings of the Area Sabha
  9. 80IRepresentative of the Area Sabha
  10. 80JPowers and functions of the Area Sabhas
  11. 80KAppeal
  12. 80LRemoval of Area Sabha Representatives or Additional Representatives
  13. 80MConstitution of Ward Committee
  14. 80NMeeting of the Ward Committee
  15. 80PRemoval of Members of Ward Committee
  16. 80QAppeal

Chapter IV MUNICIPAL PROPERTY AND FUND →

  1. 81Municipal property
  2. 82Decision of claims to property by or against the municipal council
  3. 83Municipal Fund
  4. 84Application of Municipal Fund and property
  5. 85Power to deposit and invest surplus fund
  6. 86Power of municipal councils to borrow money

Chapter V OBLIGATORY AND DISCRETIONARY FUNCTIONS OF MUNICIPAL COUNCILS →

  1. 87Obligatory functions of municipal councils
  2. 88Special functions
  3. 89Power of Government to exempt municipal council from any of the functions
  4. 90Analysis and inspection of water supplied through pipes
  5. 91Discretionary functions of municipal councils
  6. 92Arrangements purporting to be binding permanently or for a term of years
  7. 93Management of public institution maintained by municipal council to vest in it

Chapter VI MUNICIPAL TAXATION →

  1. 94Taxes which may be imposed
  2. 94AALevy of Urban Transport Cess
  3. 97Publication of resolution with notice
  4. 98Power to suspend, reduce or abolish any existing tax
  5. 99Duty on transfers of immovable properties
  6. 100Omitted
  7. 101Description and class of property Tax
  8. 101AApplication of provisions
  9. 102Method of assessment of property Tax
  10. 103Rebate for self-occupied building
  11. 105Assessment of property tax
  12. 106Preparation and publication of property tax register
  13. 107ASurvey of lands and buildings and preparation of property register
  14. 108Notice to be given to the municipal council of demolition or removal of a building
  15. 109Omitted
  16. 110Tax from whom primarily leviable
  17. 111Notice to be given to municipal council of all transfers of title by persons primarily liable to payment of taxes on buildings or lands
  18. 112Form of notice
  19. 113Name of transferee to be entered in property tax register
  20. 114Liability for payment of property tax continue in the absence of notice of transfer
  21. 115Power to assess in case of escaped from assessment
  22. 130Omitted
  23. 132Omitted
  24. 133Prohibition of advertisements without written permission of municipal council
  25. 134Permission of the municipal council to become void in certain cases
  26. 135Presumption in case of contravention
  27. 136Removal of unauthorised advertisements
  28. 137Fees in respect of Jatra, Urus, etc.
  29. 138Municipal council may charge fees for certain licences, etc.
  30. 139Fixed charges and agreements for payment in lieu of taxes
  31. 140Power of Government to suspend or prohibit levy of objectionable taxes
  32. 141Power of the Government to require municipal council to impose taxes

Chapter VII RECOVERY OF MUNICIPAL CLAIMS →

  1. 142Presentation of bill for taxes
  2. 143Distress
  3. 144Sale of goods and property distrained or attached
  4. 145Procedure in respect of sales, etc.
  5. 146Sale outside the district
  6. 147Procedure when distraint is impracticable
  7. 148Summary proceeding may be taken against persons about to leave the municipal area
  8. 149Fees
  9. 150Appeal to magistrate
  10. 151Liability of vacant land, building, etc., for tax
  11. 152Suspension of power to recover by distress and sale
  12. 153Receipt to be given for all payments
  13. 154Recovery of rent on land

Chapter VIII IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES AND IMPROVEMENT BOARDS →

  1. 155Power of municipal council to undertake works and incur expenditure for improvement, etc.
  2. 156Particulars to be provided for in an improvement scheme
  3. 157Procedure on completion of scheme
  4. 158The Scheme to be then forwarded to Government for sanction
  5. 159On receipt of sanction, declaration to be published giving particulars of land to be acquired
  6. 160Payment of betterment fee
  7. 161Assessment of betterment fee by the municipal council
  8. 162Settlement of betterment fee by arbitrator
  9. 163Fee for arbitrator
  10. 164Powers and duties of arbitrator
  11. 165Municipal council to give notice to persons liable to payment of betterment fee
  12. 166Agreement to make payment of betterment fee a charge on land
  13. 167Payment of betterment fee first charge
  14. 168Recovery of money payable in pursuance of sections 161, 162 or 166
  15. 169Agreement of payment not to bar acquisition under a fresh declaration
  16. 170Forming of new extensions or layouts or making new private streets
  17. 171Alternation or demolition of extension, layout or street
  18. 172Power of the municipal council to order work to be carried out or to carry it out itself in default
  19. 173Establishment of Improvement Board
  20. 174Property, finance, powers, etc., of Improvement Board

Chapter IX POWERS AND OFFENCES →

  1. 175Power regarding streets, etc.
  2. 176Power to require repair of streets and to declare such streets public
  3. 177Power to declare any street a public street subject to objections by owners
  4. 178Temporary closure of streets
  5. 179The regular line of public streets
  6. 180Control of construction of buildings within regular line of street
  7. 181Setting back projecting buildings
  8. 182Setting forward the regular line of street
  9. 183Buildings at corner of streets
  10. 184Roofs and external walls of buildings not to be made of inflammable materials
  11. 185Level of buildings
  12. 186Rat-proof building for warehouse for storing grain
  13. 187Notice of new buildings
  14. 187BPenalty against jurisdictional officer failing to prevent unauthorised deviations or constructions.
  15. 188Sanction accorded under mis-representation
  16. 189Power of Government to prohibit the erection of buildings in certain areas without permission.
  17. 190Completion certificates: permission to occupy or use.
  18. 191Regulation of huts.
  19. 192Improvement of huts
  20. 193Municipal control over drains, etc.
  21. 194Powers for making drains.
  22. 195Sufficient drainage of houses.
  23. 196Power of owners and occupiers of buildings or lands to drain into municipal drains.
  24. 197Right to carry drain through land or into drain belonging to other persons
  25. 198Rights of owner of land through which drain is carried in regard to subsequent building thereon
  26. 199Provision of privies, etc.
  27. 200Cost of altering, repairing and keeping in proper order privies, etc.
  28. 201Power to close existing private drains
  29. 202Power in respect of sewers, etc., unauthorisedly constructed, rebuilt or unstopped.
  30. 203Encroachment on municipal drains, etc.
  31. 204Inspection of drains, etc.
  32. 205Municipal council may execute certain works without allowing option to persons concerned of executing the same.
  33. 206Power of carrying water mains, etc.
  34. 207Works to be done by licensed plumber or licensed water supply contractor
  35. 208Permission necessary for certain projections.
  36. 209Troughs and pipes for rain water
  37. 210Fixing of brackets, etc., to houses
  38. 211Naming streets and numbering houses.
  39. 212Removal and trimming of hedges, trees, etc.
  40. 213Ruinous or dangerous buildings
  41. 213APrecaution in case of dangerous trees.
  42. 214Powers and duties with regard to dangerous, stagnant or insanitary sources of water supply
  43. 215Displacing pavements, etc.
  44. 216Obstructions and encroachments upon public streets and open spaces.
  45. 217Hoardings to be set up during repairs, etc.
  46. 218Provision of facilities when work is executed in public street
  47. 219Timber not to be deposited or hole made in a street without permission
  48. 220Power of municipal council to recover expenses caused by extraordinary traffic
  49. 221Dangerous quarrying.
  50. 222Provision as to dogs.
  51. 223Provision as to keeping of pigs
  52. 224Depositing dust, etc.
  53. 225Discharging sewage, etc.
  54. 226Non-removal of filth, etc.
  55. 227Removal of nightsoil.
  56. 228Filthy buildings, etc.
  57. 229Deserted and offensive buildings.
  58. 230Buildings or rooms in buildings unfit for human habitation
  59. 231Power of city municipal councils to order demolition of buildings unfit for human habitation.
  60. 232Power to enter and inspect, etc., buildings
  61. 233Provision of bathing facilities.
  62. 234Fouling water.
  63. 235Regulation of washing of clothes by washermen
  64. 236Abatement of nuisances from wells, etc.
  65. 237Regulation or prohibition of certain kinds of cultivation.
  66. 238Using offensive manure, etc.
  67. 239Tethering cattle, etc.
  68. 240Feeding animals on filth.
  69. 241Consumption of smoke.
  70. 242Prohibition of nuisance.
  71. 243Licensing markets, slaughter houses and certain businesses.
  72. 244Opening, closing and letting of markets and slaughter houses.
  73. 245Substitution of section 245
  74. 246Slaughter houses, etc., beyond municipal limits.
  75. 247Unwholesome articles of food and drink.
  76. 248Prevention of infectious diseases.
  77. 249Duties of municipal council on threatened or actual outbreak of infectious disease
  78. 250Withdrawal and modification of powers and orders.
  79. 251Duties of municipal council in respect of disease among horses, dogs, cattle, sheep or goats
  80. 252Proceedings to abate the overcrowding of interiors of buildings
  81. 253Special powers which may be conferred by Government in respect of overcrowded areas notified by Government.
  82. 254Prohibition of making of vault or grave in place of worship
  83. 255Closing places for disposal of the dead
  84. 256Premises not to be used for certain purposes without licence
  85. 257Power of Municipal Commissioner or Chief Officer to prevent use of premises in particular areas for purposes referred to in section 256
  86. 258Setting apart areas for use for industrial purposes.
  87. 259Factories in crowded localities
  88. 260Use of siren or whistle for summoning or dismissing workmen
  89. 261Police and municipal officers to aid fire-brigade
  90. 262Service of notices, etc.
  91. 262AProhibition of unauthorised occupation of land
  92. 263General penalty.
  93. 264Municipal council in default of owner or occupier may execute work and recover expense
  94. 265Occupier in default of owner, may execute work and deduct expenses from his rent
  95. 266Proceedings if any occupier opposes the execution of the Act
  96. 267Entry for purposes of the Act.
  97. 268Determination of compensation in certain cases.
  98. 269Costs or expenses how determined and recovered.
  99. 270Requisitioning of premises, vehicles, etc., for municipal elections.
  100. 271Payment of compensation
  101. 272Power to obtain information.
  102. 273Eviction from requisitioned premises
  103. 274Release of premises form requisition.
  104. 275Penalty for contravention of any order regarding requisitioning.

Chapter X PROSECUTIONS, SUITS AND POWERS OF POLICE →

  1. 276Municipal Council may prosecute
  2. 277Power to compound offences
  3. 278Limitation for distraint, etc.
  4. 279Distress lawful, though defective in form.
  5. 280Damage to municipal property how made good
  6. 281Alternative procedure by suit
  7. 282Power of compromise, etc.
  8. 283Bar of suits against municipal area, its officers, servants, etc., for acts done in good faith.
  9. 284Previous notice for suits, etc.
  10. 285Powers and duties of Police Officers.

Chapter XI MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTS AND ADMINISTRATION REPORTS →

  1. 286Prohibition of expenditure not budgeted for
  2. 287Presentation of accounts.
  3. 288Revision of budget.
  4. 289Maintenance of accounts and restrictions on expenditure
  5. 290Audit of Accounts
  6. 291Power of auditor to require production of documents and attendance of persons concerned, etc.
  7. 292Penalty for disobeying requisition under section 291.
  8. 293Audit report to be sent to certain officers and bodies as Government may direct.
  9. 294Audit report what to contain.
  10. 295Municipal council to remedy defects: Procedure to be followed after report of the Auditor under section 293.
  11. 296Director of Municipal Administration to surcharge or charge illegal payment or loss caused by gross negligence or misconduct
  12. 297Recovery of surcharges and charges how made.
  13. 298Application against order of surcharge or charge.
  14. 299Expenses in respect of requisition of auditors to be payable out of Municipal Fund.
  15. 300Transmission of accounts to Government.
  16. 301Publication of accounts.
  17. 302Annual administration report.
  18. 302BFinance Commission.

Chapter XII CONTROL →

  1. 303Chief Controlling Authority.
  2. 304Power of inspection and supervision.
  3. 305Power to inspect the office of municipal council.
  4. 306Deputy Commissioner’s power of suspending execution of orders, etc., of municipal councils.
  5. 307Execution of work in certain cases.
  6. 308Liability of councillors for loss, waste or misapplication.
  7. 309Commissioner’s power in respect of city municipal councils.
  8. 310Government inquiry into municipal matters
  9. 311Power of Commissioner to prevent extravagance in the employment of establishment.
  10. 312Government may require any municipal council to appoint a Health Officer.
  11. 313Power of Government to provide for performance of duties in default of municipal council.
  12. 314Power of Government to direct person in custody of municipal fund to pay Government dues.
  13. 315Power to appoint administrator in certain cases
  14. 316Power of Government to dissolve a municipal council in certain circumstances.
  15. 317Disputes between municipal councils.
  16. 318Power of officers acting for, or in default of municipal council and liability of municipal fund.
  17. 319Power of Government to cancel or modify bye-laws of municipal councils.
  18. 320Powers to transfer officers
  19. 321Delegation of powers by Government.
  20. 322Revision.

Chapter XIII RULES AND BYE-LAWS →

  1. 323Government to make rules.
  2. 324Power to make bye-laws.
  3. 325Power of Government to make model bye-laws and adoption of such bye-laws by municipal councils.
  4. 326Rules and Bye-laws to be printed and sold.

Chapter XIV Chapter XIV →

  1. 327Appointment of Chief Officer.
  2. 328Appointment of Health Officer.
  3. 329Duties of Chief Officer
  4. 330Powers of Chief Officers.
  5. 331Appointment of Municipal Commissioner.
  6. 332Removal from Office.
  7. 333Salary of Municipal Commissioner.
  8. 334Prohibition of engagement in other business.
  9. 335Leave of absence.
  10. 336Contribution from municipal council towards pension and leave allowances of Municipal Commissioner.
  11. 337Power of municipal council to require returns, reports, or production of documents.
  12. 338Powers of Municipal Commissioners and limitations thereon.
  13. 339Municipal Commissioner or Chief Officer deemed to be authorised to exercise powers of other officers.
  14. 340Right of Municipal Commissioner and Chief Officer to attend meetings of municipal council etc
  15. 341Punishment for person disobeying lawful direction given by Municipal Commissioner or Chief Officer.
  16. 342Powers of Municipal Commissioner or Chief Officer to appoint, grant leave, punish and dismiss
  17. 343Orders subject to appeal.
  18. 344Delegation of powers of Municipal Commissioner.
  19. 345Power to execute contracts on behalf of municipal council.
  20. 346Mode of executing contracts
  21. 347Tenders to be invited for contracts involving expenditure exceeding five hundred rupees.
  22. 348Security when to be taken for performance of contract.

Chapter XV Chapter XV →

  1. 349Specifying transitional area.
  2. 350Municipal Area.
  3. 351Constitution of Town Panchayat for a transitional area.
  4. 352Election to Town Panchayat.
  5. 353Power to extend provisions of this Act to a transitional area.
  6. 354Consequence of the applications of the Act to a transitional area.
  7. 355Effect of absorption of Panchayat area into transitional area.
  8. 355AEffect of absorption of part of the Panchayat area into a transitional area.
  9. 355BEffect of conversion of Panchayat area into a transitional area
  10. 355CEffect of absorption of part of a transitional area into a smaller urban area.
  11. 355DEffect of absorption of a transitional area into smaller urban area.
  12. 355EEffect of conversion of transitional area into a smaller urban area.

Chapter XVI PROVISIONS FOR CONVERSION OF 1[PANCHAYAT AREA INTO A SMALLER URBAN AREA]1 AND FOR AMALGAMATION AND DIVISION OF 1[SMALLER URBAN AREAS]1, ETC →

  1. 356Interpretation.
  2. 357Effect of conversion of panchayat area into smaller urban area.
  3. 358Term of office of members of interim municipal council and their powers.
  4. 359Effect of absorption of panchayat area into smaller urban area.
  5. 360Effect of absorption of a part of a panchayat area into a smaller urban area.
  6. 361Conversion of two municipal areas into city municipal areas.
  7. 362Conversion of city municipal areas into town municipal areas.
  8. 363Amalgamation of two contiguous smaller urban areas
  9. 364Removal of difficulties.

Chapter XVII MISCELLANEOUS →

  1. 365Karnataka Municipal Administrative Service
  2. 366Agency for execution of public works.
  3. 367Recovery towards the Karnataka Municipal Administrative Service.
  4. 368Penalty for acting as councillor, president or vice-president of a municipal council when disqualified.
  5. 369Penalty for interested member voting.
  6. 370Penalty for acquisition by an officer or servant of interest in contract.
  7. 371Bidding prohibited.
  8. 372Offences by companies
  9. 373Signature or notices, etc., may be stamped.
  10. 374Provisions of respect of licences, etc.
  11. 375Conditions of service of sweepers and certain other class of persons employed in municipal service.
  12. 376Admissibility of document or entry as evidence.
  13. 377Licensing and other provisions not applicable to Government.
  14. 378Licensing provisions not applicable to bus-stops, passenger-shelters, etc.
  15. 379The provisions of the Karnataka Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act, 1966, not affected
  16. 380Provisions of Improvement Acts not affected.
  17. 381Transitional Provisions.
  18. 382Repeal and savings.
  19. 383Orders for bringing this Act into force.
  20. 388Directorate of Municipal Administration
  21. 388ADirection and control

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