Question

Read the following passage carefully:

While decentralized urban governance is theoretically intended to enhance local accountability and service delivery, its implementation in secondary cities often reveals structural asymmetries. Local civic bodies are frequently entrusted with expanded constitutional mandates for infrastructure maintenance and public service provision, yet their statutory revenue-raising authority remains highly constrained. Consequently, these municipalities rely heavily on tied fiscal transfers from central and state governments, which routinely carry strict expenditure conditions. This financial dependence stifles local budget prioritization and limits municipalities' capacity to respond dynamically to localized urban crises. Furthermore, administrative capacity within these local bodies is constrained by chronic vacancies in specialized technical roles, forcing reliance on external private consultants for routine municipal functions. However, contract enforcement mechanisms remain weak, leading to cost overruns without commensurate improvements in infrastructure quality. Thus, delegating functional responsibilities without concurrent fiscal decentralization and administrative capacity building creates an institutional mismatch that degrades urban governance outcomes.

Based strictly on the passage above, which of the following statements represent valid logical inferences? Select all correct options.