MCG approves formation of ward committees across Gurugram to boost citizen participation

The proposal was passed unanimously during a special house meeting chaired by mayor Raj Rani Malhotra on Thursday. MCG members agreed to open bank accounts for the committees to support functioning, said officials.

Published on: Jan 31, 2026, 04:52:12 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

In a move aimed at strengthening citizen participation and improving local governance, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has approved the formation of ward committees across the city.

According to the approved structure, the elected councillor of each ward will serve as the chairperson of the respective ward committee.

The proposal was passed unanimously during a special house meeting chaired by mayor Raj Rani Malhotra on Thursday. MCG members agreed to open bank accounts for the committees to support functioning, said officials.

MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya said the decision marks a significant step towards making civic administration more effective at the grassroots level. “The ward committees will be constituted in accordance with the provisions of the Haryana Municipal Citizens Participation Act, 2008, which mandates citizen involvement in local governance. The objective is to ensure that local issues are identified and addressed at the ward level,” he said.

Councillors to head committees

According to the approved structure, the elected councillor of each ward will serve as the chairperson of the respective ward committee. Representatives from diverse sections of society will also be included to ensure inclusive representation in line with the Act.

The committees will play a key role in prioritising development projects and monitoring civic services such as sanitation, street lighting, roads, water supply and sewerage. Regular meetings will be held to discuss area-specific concerns and coordinate with departments concerned to facilitate timely resolution.

Officials said the committees are expected to act as a link between residents and the municipal body, helping get a better oversight of development works, enhancing transparency and accountability.

The mayor said the initiative would help determine development priorities at the local level. “Public participation is essential for the city’s growth, and ward committees will serve as an effective platform to ensure faster resolution of local civic issues and improve service delivery at the grassroots level,” the mayor said.

Dahiya said the committees would strengthen coordination between the administration and residents. “Through these committees, identification of local problems, monitoring development works and resolution of civic issues can be handled in a more organised manner,” he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More

Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!.

Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.