- Shri Rajiv Gauba stressed that cities cannot be efficiently managed from state capitals and require empowered city governments. - The 2nd National Urban Conclave focused on unlocking India's economic growth potential through urban transformation. - Key issues highlighted include financial and functional constraints of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). - Effective decentralization is crucial for sustainable urban development and good governance. - **74th Constitutional Amendment Act:** A landmark 1992 constitutional amendment that institutionalized urban local bodies in India, adding Part IX-A and the Twelfth Schedule to decentralize power and ensure local self-governance. - **NITI Aayog:** India's premier policy think tank established in 2015 to foster cooperative federalism, replace the Planning Commission, and drive strategic, bottom-up national development. **Introduction** At the 2nd National Urban Conclave, NITI Aayog Member Shri Rajiv Gauba emphasized the necessity of empowering city governments with financial and functional autonomy, stating that cities cannot be effectively governed from state capitals, to unlock India's urban growth potential. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - Shri Rajiv Gauba stressed that cities cannot be efficiently managed from state capitals and require empowered city governments. - The 2nd National Urban Conclave focused on unlocking India's economic growth potential through urban transformation. - Key issues highlighted include financial and functional constraints of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). - Effective decentralization is crucial for sustainable urban development and good governance. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **74th Constitutional Amendment Act:** A landmark 1992 constitutional amendment that institutionalized urban local bodies in India, adding Part IX-A and the Twelfth Schedule to decentralize power and ensure local self-governance. - **NITI Aayog:** India's premier policy think tank established in 2015 to foster cooperative federalism, replace the Planning Commission, and drive strategic, bottom-up national development.