Editing Kolkata (section)

== Government and public services ==

=== Civic administration ===
{{Main|Civic administration of Kolkata}}
[[File:Calcutta ei05-02.jpg|thumb|[[Calcutta High Court]]]]
[[File:General Post Office (GPO), a heritage building in BBD Bag, Kolkata 07.jpg|thumb|[[General Post Office, Kolkata]]]]
Kolkata is administered by several government agencies. The [[Kolkata Municipal Corporation]], or KMC, oversees and manages the civic infrastructure of the city's 16&nbsp;boroughs, which together encompass 144&nbsp;wards.<ref name="kmcbasicstat" /> Each ward elects a councillor to the KMC. Each borough has a committee of councillors, each of whom is elected to represent a ward. By means of the borough committees, the corporation undertakes urban planning and maintains roads, government-aided schools, hospitals, and municipal markets.<ref name="kmcfunction" /> As Kolkata's apex body, the corporation discharges its functions through the mayor-in-council, which comprises a [[Mayor of Kolkata|mayor]], a deputy mayor, and ten other elected members of the KMC.<ref name="kmcstructure">{{cite web |url=https://www.kmcgov.in/KMCPortal/downloads/structure.pdf |title=Legislative structure |publisher=Kolkata Municipal Corporation |access-date=3 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104193107/https://www.kmcgov.in/KMCPortal/downloads/structure.pdf |archive-date=4 January 2012 }}</ref> The functions of the KMC include water supply, drainage and sewerage, sanitation, solid waste management, street lighting, and building regulation.<ref name="kmcfunction">{{cite web |url=https://www.kmcgov.in/KMCPortal/jsp/KMCFunctions.jsp |title=KMC functions |publisher=Kolkata Municipal Corporation |access-date=3 December 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120104184545/https://www.kmcgov.in/KMCPortal/jsp/KMCFunctions.jsp |archive-date=4 January 2012 }}</ref>

Kolkata's administrative agencies have areas of jurisdiction that do not coincide. Listed in ascending order by area, they are: [[Kolkata district]]; the [[Divisions of Kolkata Police|Kolkata Police area]] and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation area, or "Kolkata city";<ref>{{cite news |title=Change of guard brings welcome relief |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Change-of-guard-brings-welcome-relief/articleshow/9829667.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707223852/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-02/kolkata/30105377_1_police-stations-cycle-rickshaws-kolkata-police |archive-date=7 July 2012 |access-date=10 December 2011 |date=2 September 2011 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live |location=New Delhi }}</ref> and the [[Kolkata metropolitan area]], which is the city's urban agglomeration. The agency overseeing the latter, the [[Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority]], is responsible for the [[statutory planning]] and development of greater Kolkata.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kmdaonline.org/pdf/aar11/role_of_kmda.pdf |title=Role of KMDA |year=2011 |work=Annual Report 2011 |publisher=Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority |access-date=9 February 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605120105/http://www.kmdaonline.org/pdf/aar11/role_of_kmda.pdf |archive-date=5 June 2013 }}</ref> The Kolkata Municipal Corporation was ranked first out of 21 cities for best governance and administrative practices in India in 2014. It scored 4.0 on 10 compared to the national average of 3.3.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nair |first1=Ajesh |title=Annual Survey of India's City-Systems |url=http://janaagraha.org/asics/images/Annual-Survey-of-Indias-City-Systems-2014.pdf |publisher=Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy |access-date=7 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319003215/http://janaagraha.org/asics/images/Annual-Survey-of-Indias-City-Systems-2014.pdf |archive-date=19 March 2015 }}</ref>

The Kolkata Port Trust, an agency of the central government, manages the city's river port. {{As of|2023}}, the [[All India Trinamool Congress]] controls the KMC; the mayor is [[Firhad Hakim]], while the deputy mayor is Atin Ghosh.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/firhad-hakim-all-set-to-be-the-new-mayor-of-kolkata/article25574386.ece |title=Firhad Hakim all set to be the new Mayor of Kolkata |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=4 December 2018 |date=23 November 2018 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308160823/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/firhad-hakim-all-set-to-be-the-new-mayor-of-kolkata/article25574386.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> The city has an apolitical [[Titular ruler|titular]] post, that of the [[Sheriff of Kolkata]], which presides over various city-related functions and conferences.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1051228/asp/calcutta/story_5652677.asp |title=The city dairy: new sheriff |newspaper=The Telegraph |location=Kolkata |date=28 December 2005 |access-date=1 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818104039/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1051228/asp/calcutta/story_5652677.asp |archive-date=18 August 2007 }}</ref>

As the seat of the [[Government of West Bengal]], Kolkata is home to not only the offices of the local governing agencies, but also the [[West Bengal Legislative Assembly]]; the state secretariat, which is housed in the Writers' Building; and the [[Calcutta High Court]]. Most government establishments and institutions are housed in the centre of the city in B. B. D. Bagh (formerly known as Dalhousie Square). The Calcutta High Court is the oldest [[High Courts of India|High Court]] in India. It was preceded by the [[Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William]] which was established in 1774. The Calcutta High Court has jurisdiction over the state of [[West Bengal]] and the [[Union Territory]] of the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]]. Kolkata has lower courts: the [[Court of Small Causes]] and the City Civil Court decide civil matters; the [[Sessions Court]] rules in criminal cases.<ref>{{cite web |title=City Sessions Court, Calcutta |url=http://calcuttahighcourt.nic.in/district_courts/citysessions.htm |publisher=Calcutta High Court |access-date=24 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209100032/http://calcuttahighcourt.nic.in/district_courts/citysessions.htm |archive-date=9 February 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Civil Court, Kolkata |url=http://calcuttahighcourt.nic.in/district_courts/citycivil.htm |publisher=Calcutta High Court |access-date=24 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219145445/http://calcuttahighcourt.nic.in/district_courts/citycivil.htm |archive-date=19 December 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Presidency Small Causes Court |url=http://calcuttahighcourt.nic.in/district_courts/presidencysmall.htm |publisher=Calcutta High Court |access-date=24 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219140230/http://calcuttahighcourt.nic.in/district_courts/presidencysmall.htm |archive-date=19 December 2011 }}</ref> The [[Kolkata Police]], headed by a police commissioner, is overseen by the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (West Bengal)|West Bengal Ministry of Home Affairs]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Home Department, Government of West Bengal |url=http://www.banglarmukh.com/portal/banglarMukh/Government/Departments/DepartmentListPortletWindow?action=1&deptId=21&deptName=Home&deptDispName=Home |publisher=Government of West Bengal |access-date=24 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203071623/http://www.banglarmukh.com/portal/banglarMukh/Government/Departments/DepartmentListPortletWindow?action=1&deptId=21&deptName=Home&deptDispName=Home |archive-date=3 December 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Setup of Kolkata Police |url=http://www.kolkatapolice.gov.in/structure1.html |publisher=Kolkata Police |access-date=24 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107001537/http://www.kolkatapolice.gov.in/Structure1.html |archive-date=7 January 2012 }}</ref> The Kolkata district elects two representatives to India's lower house, the [[Lok Sabha]], and 11&nbsp;representatives to the state legislative assembly.<ref name="delimitgazzette">{{cite web |url=http://ceowestbengal.nic.in/news_pdf/gazette123.pdf |title=Notification: order no. 18 |author=Delimitation Commission |date=15 February 2006 |publisher=Election Commission of India |location=New Delhi |pages=12–25 |access-date=11 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813092204/http://ceowestbengal.nic.in/news_pdf/gazette123.pdf |archive-date=13 August 2011 }}</ref> The Kolkata police district registered 15,510&nbsp;[[Indian Penal Code]] cases in 2010, the 8th-highest total in the country.<ref name="ncrb2">{{Cite book |author=National Crime Records Bureau |year=2010 |title=Crime in India 2010 |chapter=Compendium |chapter-url=http://ncrb.nic.in/StatPublications/CII/cii2010/Compendium2010.pdf |page=35 |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819232153/http://ncrb.nic.in/StatPublications/CII/cii2010/Compendium2010.pdf |archive-date=19 August 2017 }}</ref> In 2010, the crime rate was 117.3 per 100,000, below the national rate of 187.6; it was the lowest rate among India's largest cities.<ref name="ncrb10megacities">{{Cite book |author=National Crime Records Bureau |year=2010 |title=Crime in India-2010 |chapter=Crimes in mega dities |page=44 |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102012424/http://ncrb.nic.in/CII2010/cii-2010/Chapter%202.pdf |archive-date=2 January 2016 |url=http://ncrb.nic.in/CII2010/cii-2010/Chapter%202.pdf }}</ref>

=== Utility services ===

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation supplies the city with potable water that is sourced from the Hooghly River;<ref>{{cite web |title=KMC functions |url=https://www.kmcgov.in/KMCPortal/jsp/KMCFunctions.jsp |publisher=Kolkata Municipal Corporation |access-date=9 December 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120104184545/https://www.kmcgov.in/KMCPortal/jsp/KMCFunctions.jsp |archive-date=4 January 2012 }}</ref> most of it is treated and purified at the Palta pumping station located in North&nbsp;24 Parganas district.<ref>{{cite news |title=Raj legacy mainstay of water supply |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Raj-legacy-mainstay-of-water-supply/articleshow/162305.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701162444/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-09-03/kolkata/27191946_1_water-supply-palta-sovan-chatterjee |archive-date=1 July 2012 |access-date=9 December 2011 |agency=[[Times News Network|TNN]] |date=3 September 2003 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live |location=New Delhi }}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=April 2020|reason=Citation makes no mention that either most water is treated at this facility, nor that most of Calcutta's treated water is done so at this facility.}} Roughly 95% of the 4,000 tonnes of refuse produced daily by the city is transported to the dumping grounds in [[Dhapa, India|Dhapa]], which is east of the town.<ref>{{cite web |title=Master plan on solid waste management |url=http://www.keip.in/bl3/pdfFiles/master_plan.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304075915/http://www.keip.in/bl3/pdfFiles/master_plan.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2011 |publisher=Kolkata Environmental Improvement Project, Kolkata Municipal Corporation |access-date=9 December 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Gon Chaudhuri |first=S. P. |title=KMC has no alternative to overburdened Dhapa |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/KMC-has-no-alternative-to-overburdened-Dhapa/articleshow/3902728.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708073541/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-12-28/kolkata/27894436_1_dhapa-tonnes-of-municipal-waste-garbage |archive-date=8 July 2012 |access-date=9 December 2011 |date=28 December 2008 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live |location=New Delhi }}</ref> To promote the recycling of garbage and sewer water, agriculture is encouraged on the dumping grounds.<ref name="UN">{{cite web |url=http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/ESTdir/Pub/MSW/SP/SP4/SP4_2.asp |title=Sound practices composting: sound technical options |work=International source book on environmentally sound technologies for municipal solid waste management |publisher=United Nations Environment Programme |access-date=26 April 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060511133821/http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/ESTdir/Pub/MSW/SP/SP4/SP4_2.asp |archive-date=11 May 2006 }}</ref> Parts of the city lack proper sewerage, leading to unsanitary methods of waste disposal.<ref name="ESS">{{cite web |publisher=Gaia: Environmental Information System |url=http://www.ess.co.at/GAIA/CASES/IND/CAL/CALmain.html |title=Calcutta: not 'the city of joy' |access-date=26 April 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427072542/http://www.ess.co.at/GAIA/CASES/IND/CAL/CALmain.html |archive-date=27 April 2006 }}</ref>

In 1856, the Bengal Government appointed [[George Turnbull (engineer)|George Turnbull]] to be the Commissioner of Drainage and Sewerage to improve the city's sewerage. Turnbull's main job was to be the Chief Engineer of the [[East Indian Railway Company]] responsible for building the first railway {{Convert|541|mi|km}} from [[Howrah]] to [[Varanasi]] (then [[Benares]]).{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Electricity is supplied by the privately operated [[CESC Limited|Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation]], or CESC, to the city proper; the [[West Bengal State Electricity Board]] supplies it in the suburbs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Power cuts, soaring heat leave city boiling |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Power-cuts-soaring-heat-leave-city-boiling/articleshow/9449055.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701140339/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-02/kolkata/29842062_1_cesc-mw-unit-mw-southern-generating-station |archive-date=1 July 2012 |access-date=9 December 2011 |agency=TNN |date=2 August 2011 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live |location=New Delhi }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Power crisis raises fear of dark Diwali in Bengal |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Power-crisis-raises-fear-of-dark-Diwali-in-Bengal/articleshow/10394628.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720110728/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-18/kolkata/30296185_1_mw-power-coal-national-power-grid |archive-date=20 July 2012 |access-date=9 December 2011 |agency=TNN |date=18 October 2011 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live |location=New Delhi }}</ref> Fire services are handled by the [[West Bengal Fire Service]], a state agency.<ref name="fireservice">{{cite web |url=http://www.westbengal.gov.in/portal/banglarMukh/Government/Departments/DepartmentListPortletWindow?action=e&windowstate=normal&mode=view |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009093640/http://www.westbengal.gov.in/portal/banglarmukh/Government/Departments/DepartmentListPortletWindow?action=e&mode=view&windowstate=normal |archive-date=9 October 2010 |title=Fire and emergency services |publisher=Government of West Bengal |access-date=6 December 2011 }}</ref> {{As of|2012}}, the city had 16&nbsp;fire stations.<ref>{{cite news |title=CM in firefighting mode—six new fire stations, better coordination between agencies |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120103/jsp/calcutta/story_14954836.jsp |newspaper=The Telegraph |location=Kolkata |date=3 January 2012 |access-date=26 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502203410/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120103/jsp/calcutta/story_14954836.jsp |archive-date=2 May 2014 }}</ref>

State-owned [[Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited]], or BSNL, as well as private enterprises, among them [[Vodafone Idea]], [[Bharti Airtel]], [[Jio|Reliance Jio]] are the leading telephone and cell phone service providers in the city.<ref name="trai ar 11 wire">{{cite web |title=Annual report 2010–11 |url=http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/UserFiles/Documents/AnuualReports/ar_10_11.pdf |publisher=Telecom Regulatory Authority of India |access-date=13 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526230024/http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/UserFiles/Documents/AnuualReports/ar_10_11.pdf |archive-date=26 May 2012 }}</ref>{{rp|25–26}}{{rp|179}} with Kolkata being the first city in India to have cell phone and [[4G]] connectivity, the [[GSM]] and [[Code division multiple access|CDMA]] cellular coverage is extensive.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kolkata connects India to 4G era |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Kolkata-connects-India-to-4G-era/articleshow/12617655.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103073810/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-11/kolkata/31324556_1_4g-3g-telecom-equipment |archive-date=3 January 2013 |access-date=25 June 2012 |date=11 April 2012 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live |location=New Delhi }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=City of the third revolution&nbsp;– First 4G service to be launched in Calcutta |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120404/jsp/frontpage/story_15333017.jsp#.T-hXdbUe7HU |access-date=25 June 2012 |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=4 April 2012 |location=Kolkata |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507220230/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120404/jsp/frontpage/story_15333017.jsp#.T-hXdbUe7HU |archive-date=7 May 2012 }}</ref> {{As of|2010}}, Kolkata has 7 percent of the total broadband internet consumers in India; BSNL, [[VSNL]], [[Tata Indicom]], Sify, [[Hathway]], Airtel, and Jio are among the main vendors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Recommendations on national broadband plan |url=http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/Recommendation/Documents/Rcommendation81210.pdf |publisher=Telecom Regulatory Authority of India |access-date=25 June 2012 |page=22 |date=8 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927084149/http://trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/Recommendation/Documents/Rcommendation81210.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Indian telecom services performance indicators October&nbsp;– December 2011 |url=http://trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/PIRReport/Documents/Indicator%20Report-dec-2011.pdf |publisher=Telecom Regulatory Authority of India |access-date=25 June 2012 |pages=122–126 |date=13 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526133859/http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/PIRReport/Documents/Indicator%20Report-dec-2011.pdf |archive-date=26 May 2012 }}</ref>

=== Military and diplomatic establishments ===
[[File:South Gate - Fort William - Kidderpore Road - Kolkata 2013-12-02 1065.JPG|thumb|Fort William, Kolkata]]
The [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Command]] of the [[Indian Army]] is based in the city.
Being one of India's major city and the largest city in eastern and north-eastern India, Kolkata hosts diplomatic missions of many countries such as [[List of diplomatic missions in India|Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, People's Republic of China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States]]. The [[Consulate General of the United States, Kolkata|U.S Consulate in Kolkata]] is the [[United States Department of State|US Department of State]]'s second-oldest Consulate and dates from 19 November 1792.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Consulate {{!}} Kolkata, India – Consulate General of the United States |url=https://in.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/kolkata/about-the-consulate/ |website=in.usembassy.gov |access-date=27 September 2020 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711162421/https://in.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/kolkata/about-the-consulate/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Diplomatic representation of more than 65 Countries and International Organization is present in Kolkata as Consulate office, honorary Consulate office, Cultural Centre, Deputy High Commission and Economic section and Trade Representation office.<ref>{{cite web |title=Consul Kolkata |url=https://www.consulkolkata.org/home.html |access-date=30 March 2020 |archive-date=8 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508194341/https://www.consulkolkata.org/home.html |url-status=live }}</ref>