The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 provides a constitutional status to urban local bodies in India. It mandates the constitution of three types of municipalities based on the size and character of the urban area.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The nomenclature of urban local bodies is not uniform across all cities. The 74th Amendment provides for three distinct types of urban local governments based on the size of the area:
- Nagar Panchayat for a transitional area (an area in transition from a rural area to an urban area).
- Municipal Council for a smaller urban area.
- Municipal Corporation for a larger urban area.
- Statement 2 is Correct: A Municipal Corporation is established for the administration of big cities (larger urban areas) like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, etc. A Municipal Council (often referred to as a Municipality) is established for the administration of smaller towns or smaller urban areas.
- Statement 3 is Correct: For the purpose of elections, the municipal area is divided into territorial constituencies known as wards. This is a standard practice mandated by the Constitution to ensure direct election of members to the Municipality.
Key Takeaway:
Under the 74th Amendment, urban local bodies are categorized into Nagar Panchayats, Municipal Councils, and Municipal Corporations based on population size, and the ward system serves as the fundamental unit for electoral representation.