ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a description of the state and local government structure. It concentrates upon the public organisations that deal with land and housing issues in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam. The chapter attempts to present a systematic overview of relevant agencies and their mutual relationships. It includes an analytical description of the administrative structure, the agencies and their functions, organisational set-up and mutual linkages. In Andhra Pradesh, the following departments are the apex state level administrative units dealing with urban development, land issues, and housing (1993): Urban Development (including Town Planning), Municipal Administration, Revenue, and Housing. Urban Development and Municipal Administration constitute the combined subject matter of one secretariat. Speaking of municipal corporations, the ultimate administrative and political model in India has been the Bombay Municipal Corporation, the present condition of which is almost as old as the Indian National Congress. The chapter concludes that places the most important findings and arguments in a political perspective.
