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" 9. Article 243-W whereupon great emphasis has been laid by the petitioners herein provides for an enabling clause so as to enable the State to endow by law the municipality with such powers and authority, as may be necessary, to enable the State to make, by law, by endowing the municipalities to function as institutions of self-government which may contain provisions for the devolution of powers and responsibilities subject to the conditions which may be specified in the Twelfth Schedule. The Twelfth Schedule of the Constitution referable to Article 243-W, inter alia, provides for urban planning including town planning, regulation of land- use and construction of buildings. Thus, Article 243-W contains merely an enabling provision, and it does not mean that the State is obligated to provide for such a statute.
` In many States, local bodies have become weak and ineffective on account of variety of reasons, including the failure to hold regular elections, prolonged supersessions and inadequate devolution of powers and functions. As a result, urban local bodies are not able to perform effectively as vibrant democratic units of self-Government.
22. To enable the municipalities (that is municipal corporations, municipal councils and Nagar Panchayats) to function as institutions of self-government, Article 243W authorizes the legislature of a State to endow to the municipalities, such powers and authority as may be necessary, by law.

Such law made by the State legislature may contain provision for the devolution of powers and responsibilities upon municipalities, with respect to the following :