Shimla - Civic Administration

Civic Administration

The administrative responsibilities of the city of Shimla and the surrounding planning areas of Dhalli, Totu, and New Shimla reside with the Shimla Municipal Corporation. Established in 1851, the Shimla Municipal Corporation is an elected body comprising 27 councilors, three of whom are nominated by the Government of Himachal Pradesh. The nominations are based on prominence in the fields of social service, academics and other activities. Thirty-three percent of seats are reserved for women. The elections take place every five years and the mayor and deputy mayor are elected by and amongst the councilors themselves. Sanjay Chauhan and Tekinder Singh Panwar of CPI(M) are the present Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively. The three major political parties are the Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Bharatiya Janata Party. The administrative head of the corporation is the commissioner who is appointed by the state government. The city contributes one seat to the state assembly (Vidhan Sabha), and one seat to the lower house of parliament (Lok Sabha). Law and order in the city is collectively maintained by the Police force, Vigilance Department, Enforcement directorate, Forensics, Fire department, department of prisons, and Home Guard department. There are five police stations and three fire stations in Shimla. The Superintendent of Police, Shimla heads the police department. The First Armed Police Battalion, one of the four armed police battalions in the state, is also available for assistance to the local police for assistance. There are eleven courts in the district including a fast-track court