Nanded District Gazetteers

LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT

THE LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT IN THE DISTRICT vests in various statutory bodies such as the Zilla Parishad, the panchayat samitis, the municipalities and the village panchayats. These institutions have progressed in three directions. Firstly, from partially elected and nominated bodies they have become fully elective. Secondly, their franchise has gone on widening from restricted franchise based on property and other qualifications, to universal adult franchise, which is the widest possible limit. Thirdly, wider and wider powers have come to be conferred on these institutions.

The power to control and supervise these institutions is vested in the Divisional Commissioner, under the Bombay Village Sanitation Act (I of 1892); the Bombay District Vaccination Act; the Hyderabad District Municipalities Act, 1956; the Bombay Local Fund Audit Act, 1930; the Bombay Village Panchayats Act, 1958; the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, and various other orders of Government promulgated from time to time.

MUNICIPALITIES

The Hyderabad District Municipalities, Act (XVII of 1956) which embodied all the provisions of the enactment regarding city and town municipalities came into effect from August 11, 1956. (The date of the publication of the Act, in the ex-Hyderabad Gazette No. 182, dated August 1956.)

There are 11 municipalities in the district at Nanded, Mudkhed, Kundalwadi, Kandhar, Kinwat, Deglur, Dharmabad, Umri, Hadgaon, Mukhed and Biloli. The Government is empowered under the Act to declare any town with a population of 15,000 and above to be a city municipality and a town with population between 5,000 and 15,000 to be a town municipality. All the municipalities in the district were governed under the Hyderabad District Municipalities Act, 1956 up to the implementation of the Maharashtra Municipalities Act, 1965.

The State Government have powers to include any local area adjacent thereto within the limits of the municipality or exclude any local area included in a municipality by issue of notification in the official gazette which is generally done in consultation with the municipal committee concerned. The term of office of a municipality is for three years and could be extended by Government to four years under special circumstances,. Each city municipality has to establish a municipal committee having authority over the municipality and each town municipality has to form a town committee having control over the town municipality. A few seats are reserved for the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes, their precise number being determined by Government on considering the population of such castes or tribes in the municipal area.

Councillors from among themselves elect a President and a Vice-President for every municipality. The President presides over the meetings of the Committee, keeps watch over the executive administration of the Committee and directs the stoppage or execution of the work or act which is necessary for the service or safety of the public and orders incurring of such expenditure on such work from the municipal fund subject to the approval of the Committee.

The Vice-President of the Committee presides over the meetings of the Committee in the absence of the President, exercises powers and performs the duties of the President pending the latter's election or in the case of President's continuous absence from office for more than 15 days..

Each municipality is headed by an executive by the competent authority and discharges his to the provisions of the Act. He has, to carry issued by Government from time to time.

The principal duties of the executive officer are -

(1) to maintain and supervise registers and accounts of the Committee;

(2) to carry out decisions and resolutions of the Committee;

(3) to advise the Committee regarding the laws applicable to any particular case;

(4) to prepare budget estimates and to submit them to the Committee, to make requisition by written notice or give such written consent or permission, grant such licences, issue such orders and exercise all such powers as may vest in a municipal committee under any
provision of the Act;

(5) to suspend, withhold or withdraw any licenses so granted;

(6) to receive, recover and credit fees payable for such licenses and .permissions granted by
him to the municipal fund; and

(7) to make appointments to the posts, the monthly salary of which does not exceed Rs.30.

The functions of the Committee are divided into two categories, viz., obligatory and optional. All matters essential for the health, safety, convenience and well-being of the people fall under the former category, while those which are not considered absolutely essential fall under the latter category.

Obligatory duties of the municipality are -

(a) lighting public streets, public places and public buildings;
(b) watering public places and streets;
(c) extinguishing fires and protecting life and property when fires occur;
(d) cleansing public streets
(e) regulating and abating practices;
(f) securing Or removing dangerous buildings and places and reclaiming unhealthy localities;
(g) acquiring, maintaining, changing and regulating places for the disposal of the dead;
(h) constructing, altering and maintaining public streets, culverts, municipal boundary marks, 'markets, slaughter-houses, latrines, privies, urinals, drain sewers, drainage works, sewage
works, baths, washing places, drinking water tanks, fountains, wells, dams and the like;
(i) obtaining adequate supply of water for preventing danger to the health of inhabitants and domestic animals;
(j) naming the streets and numbering of the houses;
(k) registering births and deaths;
(l) carrying out public vaccinations;
(m) providing suitable accommodation for calves. cows or buffaloes required within the municipality for the supply of animal lymph;
(n) taking such measures as may be required to prevent. the outbreak, spread or recurrence of any infectious disease;
(o) establishing and maintaining public hospitals and dispensaries and providing medical relief;
(p) providing special medical aid and accommodation for the sick at the time of outbreak of any infectious disease; .
(q) destruction of vermins causing danger and destruction of stray dogs; .
(r) giving relief and establishing relief works at the time of scarcity; and
(s) establishing and maintaining homes and child welfare centres

Optional functions of the municipality are as under:-

(a) constructing houses for persons belonging to lower income group and for any class of servants, employed by the committee;
(b) constructing and maintaining houses for orphans, beggars, cripples and destitutes;
(c) regulating lodging houses, camping grounds and rest houses; .
(d) organising, maintaining or managing transport facilities for the conveyance of the public or goods;
(e) establishing and maintaining public libraries, museums and art galleries;
(f) laying out new public streets;
(g) furthering educational objects;
(h) constructing, establishing and maintaining public parks, gardens, dharmashalas etc., for the public;
(i) planting and maintaining roadside and other trees; and
(j) establishing and maintaining a farm or a factory for the disposal of the sewage.

Municipal taxation may consist of the following items.

(1) rate on buildings and lands,
(2) tax on all or any vehicles, boats or I animals used for riding, draught or burden;
(3) toll on vehicles other than motor vehicles;
(4) octroi on animals and goods;
(5) tax on dogs;
(6) general or special water rate or both;
(7) lighting tax;
(8) tax on pilgrims;
(9) tax on entertainment;
(10) tax on transfer of immovable property; and
(11) tax on professions, trades, etc.

The rules regarding levy of such taxes prescribing the maximum and minimum rates therefore have been framed. Although many taxes are framed by the municipalities yet in case they face deficit, their incomes are supplemented by Government grants of both recurring and non-recurring nature. The Collector, the Director of Municipal Administration, and the State Government exercise control over the municipalities. The Government and any other competent authority authorised by Government have powers to suspend the execution of any resolution passed by the Committee or prohibit the doing of any act by it which is considered to be in contravention of or in excess of powers conferred upon by the Act or is likely to lead to the breach of public peace, provided that a reasonable time and opportunities are afforded to the Committee to show cause why action should not be taken to suspend the resolution.

If the Government is satisfied that a Committee has made default in performing any duty imposed on it by or under the Act, it may direct the Director to fix a period for the performance of that duty. If such an order is now complied with within the stipulated time the Government may direct its performance and require the Committee to pay the expenses incurred for the same. If in the opinion of Government, a Committee persistently makes default or is not competent to perform its, duties or exceeds Or abuses its powers, it may either dis. solve the Committee or supersede it for a specific period.

TABLE No. 1

LIST OF MUNICIPAL COMMITTEES IN NANDED DISTRICT

Name of Municipality	Date of Establishment	Area	Number of Councillors		Revised seats for scheduled Casts	Population
			Reserved seats for women	Reserved seats for Scheduled Casts
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
(I) Nanded	1935	6'5	34	3	4	81,087
(2) Mudkhed	1945	5.0	11	1	2	6,601
(3) Kundalwadi	1356(F)	0.58	15	2	1	14,636
(4) Kandhar	1350(F.)	2.0	12	1	1	6,630
(5) Dharmabad	1948	3'0	15	1	1	9,917
(6) Umri	1951	3'2	10	1	2	4,443
(7) Deglur	1345(F.)	2.0	15	2	1	14,636
(8) Hadgaon	1354(F.)	1.0	10	1	2	5,522
(9) Biloli	1954	1'0	10	1	1	4,440
(10) Mukhed	1938	N.A	12	1	1	6,610
(11) Kinwat	1946		10	1	1	7,221

ZILLA PARISHAD

In ancient India, it was, a tradition to establish self-governing bodies in villages. These bodies had freedom and autonomy in governing the village institutions. The British rule revived this system by giving people representation in local bodies.

After the reorganisation, of the erstwhile Bombay State, the Village Panchayats Act was passed in 1958 under the provisions of which a village panchayat mandal was set up for every district.

Historical Background

With the achievement of Independence, social advancement and adherence to planned economy, community development programmes and national extension service schemes were introduced with a view to improving the lot of rural populace. But the Government soon realised that the progress of the rural development was not commensurate with their expectations and it was mainly ascribed to the non-participation of the villagers in the implementation of developmental schemes although the trend could be noticed among the masses for more developmental activities. To investigate into the causes of such a state of affairs, the Government appointed a Committee called, the “Balwantrai Mehta Committee". The Committee was of the view that the Government was not successful in attracting the leadership of masses into developmental programmes because selfgoverning institutions did not take particular interest in such work. The Committee hence recommended the decentralisation of power and responsibility at the lower level. It, therefore, suggested that responsibility far such regional and local development work should be assigned to such local bodies at the district level with the Government accepting the role of guiding, supervising and planning from the higher level and making available the required resources and so on. It recommended the formation of local bodies on par with the Block Development Committees to be named as Panchayat Samitis and at district level a District Committee, to be called as Zilla Parishad. Thus the Village Panchayat, the Panchayat Samiti and the Zilla Parishad became the three responsible functionaries in the decentralisation of power. These bodies are entrusted with the implementation of developmental schemes.

Accordingly, the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act was passed in 1961. The Act provides far the establishment of the Zilla Parishad at a district level and Panchayat Samitis in rural areas and to assign them the functioning of local government. The Act also envisages to entrust the execution of certain works and schemes in the State Five-Year Plans to such local bodies. It also provides far the decentralisation of powers and functions with the definite abject of promoting the development of democratic institutions. Under section 100 of the Maharashtra Zilla Parish ads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, it shall be the duty of the Zilla parishad so far as the district fund at its disposal will allow, to make regional provision within the district with respect to all or any of the subjects enumerated in the first schedule as amended from time to time under sub-section (2) (in the Act referred to as District List), and to execute or maintain works of developmental scheme, in the district relating to any such subjects.

Among other things, the Zilla Parishad has been empowered under the same section 100

(1) to make provision for carrying out within the district any other work or measure which is, likely to promote the health, safety, education, comfort, convenience, social or economic, or cultural well being of the inhabitants of the district;

(2) to endeavour to develop planned development of the district by utilising to the maximum extent local resources and for that purpose, prepare annual and long-term plans, regard being had to the plans already prepared by the Panchayat Samitis;

(3) to make provisions for any public reception, ceremony or entertainment within the district or to contribute towards gathering sponsored by it in the district subject to the rules, made by the State Government in this behalf;

(4) to carry out the directions given or orders issued from time to time by the State Government and to provide adequate funds for purposes or measures to be undertaken for the amelioration of the conditions of the scheduled castes, the scheduled tribes and any socially and educationally backward classes and in particular, in the removal of untouchability;

(5) to perform such duties and functions as are entrusted to it under any other law for the time being in force;

(6) to incur expenditure outside the district an any matter in relation to any of the purposes of this Act, such matters being of interest to the residents of the district;

(7) to make adequate arrangements and provisions for payment to its councilors, members of the Panchayat Samitis, members of Standing Committee, Subjects Committees and any other Committee, expenses incurred in travelling for the purpose of business of the Zilla Parishad in accordance with the rules made by the State Government in this behalf;

(8) to contribute to any fund sponsored by Government to meet any calamity affecting the public in any part of India;

(9) to exercise general supervision and control over the work of the Chief Executive Officer subject to the provisions of this Act;

(10) to undertake upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon, the construction, the maintenance or repairs of any work, or the management of any institution on behalf of the Central Or State Government, or any other local authority, or any Court-of-Wards under the provisions of section 102 of the Act;

(11) to compromise (vide section 105), in respect of any suit instituted by or against it, or in respect of any claim arising out of any contract entered into by or on behalf of it under this Act; for such sum of money or other compensation as it shall deem sufficient;

(12) to pay compensation out of the District Fund to any person sustaining any damage by reason of the exercise, in good faith, of any of the powers vested in it, in its Committees or in Panchayat Samitis and in the presiding authorities, officers and servants by or under this Act.

Duties during Famine

Where the State Government, during any year, has declared any area as a famine stricken or an area of acute scarcity, and has granted suspension or remission of land revenue, according to the scale prescribed by the State Government in this behalf, under the relevant code or where distress is caused by flood or other natural calamity in any area, it shall be the duty of the Zilla Parishad having jurisdiction over the area to undertake relief operations in such area either by grant of gratuitous relief in the form of doles of money or through expenditure on such public works or such preventive or remedial measures as may be specified by the State Government in the directive (vide rule 107 of the Act).

Powers and Functions

In what follows are described in brief the powers and functions of the President, the Vice-President and other official and non-official authorities of the Zilla Parishad.

President

The President shall ---

(a) convene, Preside at, and conduct meetings of the Zilla Parishad;

(b) have access to the records of the Zilla Parishad;

(c) discharge all duties imposed, and exercise all the powers conferred on him by or under this Act;

(d) watch over the financial and executive administration of the Zilla Parishad and submit to the Zilla Parishad all questions connected therewith which shall appear to him to require its orders.; and

(e) exercise administrative supervision and control over the Chief Executive Officer for securing implementation of resolutions or decisions of the Zilla Parishad or of the Standing Committee, or of any Subjects Committee, or of any Panchayat Samiti.

The President may in cases of emergency direct the execution or suspension or stoppage of any work or the doing of any act which requires the sanction of the Zilla Parishad or any authority thereof, and immediate execution or doing of which is, in his opinion, necessary for the service or safety of the public, and may direct that the expense of executing such work or doing such act shall be paid from the District fund:

Provided that, he shall report forthwith the action taken under this section, and the full reasons thereof to the Zilla Parishad, the Standing Committee and the appropriate Subjects Committee at their next meetings and the Zilla Parishad, or the Committee may amend or annul the direction made by the President.

Vice-President

The Vice-President shall--

(a) in the absence of the President, preside at the meetings of the Zilla Parishad;
(b) exercise such of the powers, and perform such of the duties of the President as the President from time to time may, subject to the rules made by the State Government in this behalf, delegates to him by an order in writing; and
(c) pending the election of a President, or during the absence of the President, exercise the powers and perform the duties of the President.

The Zilla Parishad has appointed one Standing Committee and six Subjects Committees, viz., (i) Finance Committee, (ii) Works Committee, (iii) Agriculture Committee, (iv) Co-operation Committee, (v) Education Committee and (vi) Health Committee.

Chairman of the Standing Committee or Subjects Committees

1. Subject to the provisions of the Act, and the rules made thereunder by the State Government :

(a) the Chairman of the Standing Committee or a Subjects Committee shall--

(i) convene, preside at and conduct meetings of the Committee; and
(ii) have access to the records, of the Committee;

(b) the Chairman of any such Committee may, in relation to subjects allotted to the Committee-

(i) call for any information, return, statement, account, or report from any officer employed by or holding office under the Zilla Parishad or any servant thereof; and

(ii) enter on and inspect any immoveable property occupied by the Zilla Parishad or any institution under the control and management of the Zilla Parishad or any work or development scheme in progress undertaken by the Zilla Parishad or under its direction:

Provided that, the Chairman of the Standing Committee in relation to any subject allotted to any Subjects Committee, also exercise the powers under this clause.

2. The Chairman of the Standing Committee may grant leave of absence for any period exceeding two months, but not exceeding four months, to any officer of Class I Service (other than the Chief Executive Officer) or Class II Service holding office under the Zilla Parishad.

Officials

The Chief Executive Officer, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, seven Block Development Officers and the heads of the various departments of the Zilla Parishad are the Executive Officers. of the Parishad. They are all gazetted officers and their services are transferable by the State Government to other districts. The Chief Executive Officer belongs to the cadre of the Indian Administrative Service and his rank is equal to that of the Collector. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer, is an officer of the rank of the Deputy Collector. The Block Development Officers are Class II officers while the heads, of the departments are either Class I or Class II officers.

Chief Executive Officer

The Chief Executive Officer —

(i) shall lay down the duties of all the officers and servants of or holding office under the Zilla Parishad in accordance with the rules made by the State Government;
(ii) shall be entitled to call for any information, return, statement, account or report from any officer or servant of, or holding office under the Zilla Parishad;
(iii) shall supervise and control the execution of all activities of the Zilla Parishad;
(iv) shall have custody of all papers and documents connected with the proceedings of meetings of the Zilla Parishad and of its committees (excluding Panchayat Samitis);
(v) shall draw and disburse money out of the District Fund;
(vi) shall exercise supervision and control over the acts of officers and servants holding office under the Zilla Parishad in matters of executive administration and those relating to accounts and records of the Zilla Parishad;
(vii) shall be entitled to attend the meetings of the Zilla Parish ad or any of its Committee (including any Panchayat Samiti) ;
(viii) any of the powers conferred or duties or functions imposed upon or vested in the Chief Executive Officer by or under the Act, may also be exercised, performed or discharged under the control of the Chief Executive Officer and subject to such conditions and limitations, if any, as he may think fit to lay down, by any officer or servant -holding office under the Zilla Parishad to whom the Chief Executive Officer generally or specially empowers by order in writing. All such orders of the Chief Executive Officer shall, however, be laid before the President, the Standing Committee and the relevant Subjects Committees for information;
(ix) he shall assess and give his opinion confidentially every year on the work of the officers of Class II Service and Class II Service holding office under the Zilla Parishad; forward them to such authorities as may be prescribed by the State Government and lay down the procedure for writing such report about the work of officers and servants of Class III service and Class IV service under the Zilla Parishad.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer shall be the Secretary, ex-officio, of the Zilla Parishad as well as the Standing Committee. (Sections 9 and 79 of the Act.)

Block Development Officer

The Block Development Officer—

(i) shall have the custody of all papers and nected with the proceedings of meetings of Samiti ;
(ii) shall be the Secretary, ex-officio, of the Panchayat Samiti ; (Section 57 of the Act.)
(iii) shall subject to the general, order of the Chief Executive. Officer, grant leave of absence to officer or servant of Class III service or of Class IV service of the Zilla Parishad working under the Panchayat Samiti;
(iv) shall call for any information, return, statement, account, report, or explanation from any of the officers or servants working under the Panchayat Samiti;
(v) shall draw and disburse money out of the grant or rents payable to the Panchayat Samiti under sections 185 and 188;
(vi) shall, in relation to the works and development schemes to be undertaken from the block grants, exercise such powers of sanctioning acquisition of property, sale or transfer thereof as may be specified by the State Government.

Heads of departments

(1) Every head of the department of the Zilla Parishad may, in respect of works and development schemes pertaining to his department, accord technical sanction thereto.

(2) He shall assess and give his opinion confidentially every year on the work of officers of Class II service working in his department and shall forward them to the Chief Executive Officer.

(3) The head of department, specified in this behalf, shall be the Secretary, ex-officio, of such Subjects Committees as the Zilla Parishad may direct (vide section 80 of the Act).

The Commissioner of the Division has supervisory powers, over the Zilla Parishad. He has authority to check any extravagance in the Zilla Parish ad administration. This direct link between the Divisional Commissioner and the Zilla Parishad implies that the Chief Executive Officer is responsible to the Divisional Com. missioner in matters of Zilla Parishad administration in general
Under the provisions of the Act, the Chief Executive Officer is the appointing authority and has complete administrative control over the members of the district services. He has, however, to seek guidance from the Commissioner concerned whenever such need arises. The Divisional Commissioner is also expected to bring about a proper co-ordination between the regional heads, the Collector of the district and other officers working under him on the one hand and the Chief Executive Officer and officers posted under the Zilla Parishad on the other hand. The regional heads of departments and the Divisional Commissioner playa vital role in not only accelerating the tempo of development work already undertaken but also induce and guide the Parishad, Subjects Committees and Panchayat Samitis to take up new schemes to expand the scope of the existing ones.

Administrative Organisation

The Nanded Zilla Parishad started functioning from 1st May 1962 with the coming into force of the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act. 1961. The Parishad consists of 47 members.
The Standing Committee of the Parishad and the six Subjects Committees control the various departments of the Parish ad as detailed below:

*Subject Committee*	*Department Controlled*
Standing Committee	General Administration.
Finance	Finance
Education	Education
Co-operation	Co-operation
Agriculture	Agriculture
Works.	Works.
Health	Public Health.

In what follows is given in brief the functioning of various departments of the Zilla Parishad.

General Administration Department

The General Administration department deals with non-technical matters such as establishment, revenue, panchayats, social welfare and planning. The General Administration department is controlled and directed by the Standing Committee of the Zilla Parishad. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer is its Secretary and heads the General Administration department. He is assisted by an Administrative Officer, a Revenue Officer, a Social Welfare Officer, and two Area Organisers for tribal welfare. The Social Welfare section of the department is in charge of Social Welfare Officer. He is entrusted with the work of implementation of various schemes for the uplift and welfare of the backward classes. The amelioration of the backward classes is sought by granting them various financial and educational concessions through cultural activities.

Comniunity Development Programme.- At present all the eight tahsils of the district are covered under this programme The following tab1e shows the expenditure incurred in various blocks at various stages: -

TABLE No. 2

Name	Stage	Expenditure
1	2	3
		Rs. In lakhs
(I) Kandhar	I	24.00
(2) Biloli	II	30.00
(3) Hadgaon	I	18.00
(4) Nanded	I	12.00
(5) Mukhed	I	12.00
(6) Bhokar	II	5.00
(7) Dglur	II	5.00
(8) Kinwat	II	5.00
(9) Nanded	II	5.00
(10) Tribal Dvelopment Block	I	24.00
(11) Tribal Development Block, Sindkhed	II	17.40

The Finance department of the Zilla parishad is headed by the Chief Accounts and Finance Officer. The department is divided into four sections, viz., (1) accounts, (2) audit, (3) budget and (4) stores. Each section is headed by a Head Accountant or by a Deputy Accountant. The Finance department controls the expenditure and financial activities of the Parishad. The accounts of the Zilla Parishad are subject to audit by the Audit Officer of the Local Fund Audit Department.

A Local Fund called District Fund has been created in the district. The following amounts are paid into it: (1) the balances of the local fund of the ex-District Local Board and the ex-District School Board ; (2) the net proceeds of the cesses in the district authorised by section 146; (3) the balance of the amount of the tax on professions, trades, callings and employments; (4) all rents and profits accruing from the property (including ferries) vested in the Zilla Parishad; (5) the proceeds of the tolls on roads, and bridges vested in the Zilla Parishad; (6) all sums received by the Zilla Parishad for the execution of or from taxation under the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961; (7) the interest on the sale-proceeds of any securities held by the Zilla Parishad; (8) the receipts on account of charities and trusts placed under the management of the Zilla Parishad; (9) all grants, loans, assignments and contributions made by the State Government; (10) all grants, loans and contributions made for Panchayat Samitis or institutions or persons which are to be paid through the Zilla Parishad by the State Government; (11) all sums paid by the Government to Zilla Parishad to meet the expenditure towards the performance of any agency functions; (12) all amounts received from persons, for supplying or providing services, facilities, benefits or amenities; (13) all sums realised by way of penalties, otherwise than by way of a fine in a criminal case, and (14) other miscellaneous sources.

The main source of the income of the Zilla Parishad is financial assistance received from the State Government in the forms of various grants enumerated below:

(1) 70 per cent of the amount of the ordinary land revenue including non-agricultural assessment realised during the previous revenue year from lands within the limits of the district (vide section 180).

(2) An equalisation grant equal to the difference between the amount arrived at on the basis of rupees two per capita of the population according to 1961 Census and the amount paid to the Zilla Parishad under section 180.

(3) 75 per cent of the expenditure incurred in respect of certain specific works and development schemes transferred to the Zilla Parishad. The grant is known as purposive grant.

(4) An establishment grant equal to 75 per cent of the average annual cost on account of the salaries and allowances of the staff of the State Government transferred to the Zilla Parishad to be appointed in the district, technical service, Class III and the District Service, Class III and IV.

(5) Deficit Adjustment Grant- The duration of the grant is for the first five years, of the Zilla Parishad regime. Thereafter in every succeeding year the grant is to be progressively reduced during the course of the next ten years.

(6) Local Cess Matching Grant.-Certain proportion (to be determined by the State Government) of a cess on land revenue collected at a rate in excess of the minimum prescribed by the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961.

(7) Incentive Grant.-This grant is to serve as incentive for speedier progress of the developmental activities of the Zilla Parishad.

(8) Grants for Plan Schemes.- These grants are meant for works and developmental schemes included in the development plan of the State and related to any subject included in the district list.

(9) Block Grants.-These grants are to be paid by the State Government through Zilla Parishad to the Blocks for carrying out specific types of works and developmental schemes in the Block area.

(10) Advances to be made through land revenue recoupment fund for the purpose of meeting any deficit amount of Land Revenue Grant (the deficit being suspension or remission ,of land revenue).

(11) Grant-in-aid approximately equal to the extra stamp duty realised finder section 1 of the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, in respect of the properties situated within the jurisdiction of the Zilla Parishad.
(12) Sums paid by the State Government to meet expenditure on account of the execution, or maintenance ,of the works or developmental schemes entrusted to the Zilla Parishad by the State Government on agency basis (vide section 123).

(13) Other sources of income.-Taxes, fees, etc.

(i) Income on account of local cess.
(ii) Income by way of cess, not exceeding 19 paise per rupee of a water rate leviable under the provisions of the Bombay Irrigation Act, 1879 (vide section 146).
(iii) Income by way of the following taxes levied by the Zilla Parishad

(a) tax on persons carrying on any profession, trade, calling or employment within the limits of the district;
(b) a general water tax;
(c) a tax on public entertainment and amusement;
(d) a pilgrim tax;
(e) a special tax on lands and buildings,.

The estimated budget of Nanded Zilla Parishad for the year 1962-1963, was

Revenue Side :

	Rs.
(1) Land Revenue Grant	18,20,000
(2) Purposive Grant	36,65,616
(3) Agency Functions	99,427
(4) Establishment Grant	7,01,601
(5) Deficit adjustment Grant	6,00,000
(6) Plan Grant	8,97,624
(7) Block Grant	23,22,995
Total	1,01,07,263

Other Sources:

	Rs.
(1) Local Cess	5,15,900
(2) Other taxes and fees	4,580
(3) Interest	15,000
(4) Education	7,5000
(5) Agriculture	5,290
6) Animal Husbandry	4,000
(7) Industries	1,400
(8) Works Department	24,447
(9) Miscellaneous	2,000
Total	5,80,117
Total Revenue	1,06,87,380
Debt Section	93,160
Deficit	3,05,902
Grand Total	1,10,86,442

The estimated expenditure during the year 1962-63 was as below :-

	Rs.
(1) Honoraria, etc., to President	90,600
(2) General Administration	7,22,186
(3) Education	33,67,341
(4) Medical	1,34,524
(5) Public Health	2,92,707
(6) Ayurved	77,957
(7) Agriculture	1,71,310
(8) Animal Husbandry	1,32,824
(9) Forest	2,500
(10) Social Welfare	5,98,593
(11) Co-operation	14,000
(12) Industries	20,867
(13) Community Development	26,47,995
(14) Miscellaneous Departments	500
(15) Buildings and Communications	20,64,931
(16) Public Health Engineering	65,724
(17) Irrigation	1,69,000
(18) Pension	9,500
(19) Miscellaneous	2,31,985
(20) Loans and Advances	2,71,948
Total Expenditure	1,10,86,442

Agricultural Department

The Agricultural Development Officer is in-charge of agricultural activities in Nanded district. For technical matters he is responsible to the Superintending Agricultural Officer, Aurangabad Division and for administrative purposes he works underthe Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad However, the work is looked after by the District Agricultural Officer. The District Agricultural officer is assisted by three Agricultural Officers and one Agricultural Supervisor at the headquarters. The three Agricultural Officers at the headquarters are in-charge of the office and technical matters, taluka seed multiplication farm and the kharif and rabi campaigns, respectively. The ( Agricultural Officer with two agricultural assistants looks after the plant protection activities. Besides, two agricultural assistants at the headquarters assist the Director Agricultural Officer in compost making and sugarcane development. The soil conservation programme in the district is supervised by the Sub-divisional Soil Conservation Officer stationed at Nanded. Besides, various statutory and non-statutory bodies, help in the execution of agricultural programmes in the district. They are the District Farmer's Union and the District Land Improvement Board at the district level, the taluka farmer's union at taluka level and village panchayats and village farmer's union at the village level.

The Agriculture Committee of the Zilla Parishad is mainly responsible for the execution of the agricultural development programme in the district. The main activities (Details about various agricultural schemes and their working in the district are given in Chapter 13-(Other Departments".) of the agriculture department in the district can be grouped as research education and development.

The District Animal Husbandry Officer is in-charge of animal husbandry activities of the Zilla Parishad. He is, responsible to the Agricultural Development Officer. The animal husbandry activities include treatment of sick animals., castration of scrubbulls, vaccination of animals and poultry against various diseases of livestock and breeding of animals. These are carried out by the Veterinary Officers and stockmen attached to the veterinary dispensaries and institutions in the district allotted to the Zilla Parishad. Zilla Parishad

There are 8 veterinary dispensaries, 2 branch veterinary dispensaries and 22 veterinary aid centres in the district. In addition there are 10 veterinary aid centres opened by different blocks. There are 94 bulls and 50 cows supplied for the purpose of introducing pure breed animals for upgrading the local breeding in the district. Similarly; the work of breeding of animals by the method of artificial insemination is taken up by each block. Poultry demonstration centres and six small poultry units have been opened for the improvement and development of poultry.

The veterinary dispensaries are located at (l) Nanded, (2) Kandhar, (3) Kinwat, (4) Degillr, (5) Biloli, (6) Bhokar, (7) Hadgaon and (8) Mukhed.

Branch veterinary centres are located at (1) Kalambar and (2) Dharmabad.

Veterinary-aid centres are located at Malegaon, Ardhapur, Limbgaon, Mukhed, Loha, Naigaon, Kini, Sindhi, Umri, Tamsa, Himayatnagar, Niawgha, Mantha, Mukramabad, Wai, Islapur, Mandvi, Mahur, Sindkhed, Hanegaon, Shahapur and Mirkhed. Recently 10 veterinary centres have been opened in three blocks as follows: (1) Biloli Block--4, (2) Mukhed-- Block-2, (3) Kandhar Block-4. In 1961-62, 60.259 cases were treated: 16,255 animals were castrated and 1,69,425 animals and birds were vaccinated. In 1962-63, 55,215 cases were treated, 21,679 animals were castrated and 1,94,629 were vaccinated. Two poultry demonstration centres, one at Nanded and the other at Degular are maintained. These centres sale chicks and hatching eggs During the 3rd Plan period two cattle breeding centres were established.

Co-operation Department

The head of the department is the Co-operation and Industries Officer of the Zilla Parishad. He also works as the Secretary of the Co-operation Comll1ittce of the Zilla Parishad, which controls the department. Industries and Co-operation department of the Zilla Parishad is composed of the staff transferred to it from the Co-operative department of the State. The Assistant Registrar of Co-operative Societies along with the Cooperative Officers (now termed as extension officers) together with the subordinate staff comprise the department of the Zilla Parishad. '

The main activities of the department are--

(1) to register societies functioning outside the municipal areas and having a share capital of less than Rs. 50,000;
(2) to hear appeals from societies on account of non-admission to members;
(3) to execute administrative supervision over them;
(4) to maintain control at the district level over the market committees;
(5) to undertake promotional and developmental activities in the sphere of co-operation, and industries;
(6) to establish training institutes and schools and run training-Gum-production centres.
(7) to grant financial assistance to small-scale and cottage industries, to individual artisan and the industrial co-operatives for purchase of tools and equipment. It may be noted here that the recovery of loans, given prior to the formation of Zilla Parishad rests with the department. The distribution of fertilisers to industrial co-operatives, scrutiny of transport claims and the work pertaining to village production programme are also entrusted to the department.

Two new places, Himayatnagar and Kandhar were surveyed for the establishment of market committees and markets have been established in those places.

In regard to industries, two training institutes, have been established at Nanded. They are (1) Blacksmithy centre and (2) R. A. C. leather centre. A sum of Rs. 80,490 was spent on various schemes pertaining to co-operation and industries in the year 1962-63. There were 1,600 societies out of which 1,500 societies come under the purview of the Zilla Parishad. The staff consists of one Co-operation and Industries Officer assisted by one Co-operation Officer at the district level and 12 extension Co officers for co-operation and 9 officers for industries at tahsil D, level.

Education Department

With the formation of the Zilla Parishad, education has become one of the major and important subjects looked after by the Zilla Parishad. Former bodies such as District School Board, the District Building Committee, the Social Education Committee of the District Deve1opmentBoard and other committees and sub-committees on education have now been abolished and their property transferred to the Zilla Parishad

Secondary Schools :- There is only one school teaching up to XIth standard, 38 schools up to Xth standard, 11 schools up to IXth standard and 21 schools up to VIIIth standard.

Basic Craft Schools-

Type of School	Number of Schools
Spinning and Weaving	54
Agriculture	19
Total	73

Primary Schools:-In all there are 36 primary schools for girls in the district of which 35 are under Zilla Parishad and one is a private aided school, besides 19 schools for boys. The total number of students in these schools in 1962-63 was 71,474 of which 54,348 were boys and 17,126 were girls. The total number of scheduled castes students in these schools was 10,158 and scheduled tribes 2,213. There were 9 Urdu medium schools in which there were 2,608 boys and 1,497 girls. In all there were 1,258 pupils under compulsory education of whom 1,038 were boys and 228 were girls. .

Expenditure:-The total expenditure incurred was Rs.24,17,747 of which Rs.20,94,337 was On salaries of teachers; Rs.1,59,883 was, on school contingencies, equipment, medical services and mid-day meals; and Rs.1,0.3,527 on aided schools.

Libraries.- In all there are 51 libraries, and circulating libraries in the district.

National Cadet Corps and Auxilliary Cadet Core:- There were 3 National Cadet Corps units and 7 Auxilliary Cadet Core units in the district. In the field of scouting there were 35 group guides.

Public Health Department

Under the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panthayat Samitis Act, 1961, all responsibilities regarding public health and medical aid in rural areas devolve on the Zilla Parishad With the formation of the Zilla Parishad in 1962, the public health and the medical staff (except that of civil and cottage hospitals) formerly working under the Medical and Public Health Department and the ex-district local boards has been transferred to the Zilla Parishad.

The District Health Officer is the head of the Public Health department of the Parishad He is assisted by an epidemic medical officer, sanitary inspectors, leprosy supervisor, health inspectors and other necessary staff.

The District Health Officer Zilla Parishad is responsible for all activities pertaining to health schemes in the district including preventive work in cholera, smallpox, plague, influenza, etc., maternity and child health work through primary health centres supervision of the health of the school children, village sanitation, disinfection of village water-supply and inspection of sites. Family planning and control of leprosy have also been entrusted to the department. Medical relief is provided by the Parishad through the following agencies in the district, (1) Primary Health Centres, (2) Allopathic, Unani and Ayurvedic dispensaries, (3) grant-in-aid and subsidised medical practitioners centres and (4) village medical box. These have been transferred to the Parishad from the Medical department of the State (A detailed account of the activities of the Parishad under these various head is given in Chapter 16.)

The vaccination of children and revaccination of the one-fifth of the total population is the main work allotted to the vaccination unit.

The primary health centres and maternity and child health centres, are established at the following places:

(1) Limbagaon. (Nanded Tahsil), (2) Koli (Hadgaon Tahsil), (3) Islapur (Kinwat Tahsil), (4) Barahali (Mukhed Tahsil), (5) Markhel (Deglur Tahsil), (6) Naigaon (Biloli Tahs.il), (7) Kundalwadi (Bioli Tahsil) and (8) Umri (Bhokar Tahsil).

A Medical Officer is in-charge of a health centre and is assisted by health visitor, nurse, midwives and sanitary inspector.

The allopathic dispensaries are located at Barad, Hadgaon, Kinwat, Mandvi, Umri, Mukhed, Mukramabad, Deglur, Biloli, Himayatnagar, Dharmabad, Bhokar and Kandhar.

The ayurvedic dispensaries are located at Kundalwadi, Tansa, Loha, Jamb, Namasi and Neemgaon.

S. M. P. centres are located at Ashtur (Kandhar Tahsil) Pethwadaj (Kandhar Tabsil) and Kuntoor (Biloli Tahsil).

Unani dispensaries are located at Ardhapur, Mudkhed, Betmogra, Naigaon, Osmanagar and Kini.

The attendance at the subsidised medical practitioner centres s 20 to 25 per day. There are four family planning centres located at Umri, Islapur, Deglur and Nanded. They are under a social worker and field worker. For the control of leprosy a leprosy clinic is attached to Civil Hospital, Nanded. There is also a leprosy subsidiary centre at Mukramabad and survey, education and treatment units at Nanded, Kinwat, Hadgaon, Markhel, Deglur and Umri.

The following is the estimated annual expenditure of the department for the year 1961-62 (itemwise) :--

	Rs.
(1) Allopathic dispensaries	1,67,000
(2) Ayurvedic and Unani	91,000
(3) Grant-in-aid	5,000
(4) Subsidised Medical Practitioner Centres	7,000
(5) Primary Health Centres	1,15,000
(6) Vaccination	30,000
(7) Epidemics (miscellaneous)	7,000
(8) District Health Organisation	1,28,000
Total	5,50,000

Social Welfare Department

The services of the Social Welfare Officer have been transferred to the Zilla Parishad since the inception of the Zilla Parishad in 1962. The activities of this department fall under three heads:

(i) uplift of the backward classes, in the district, (ii) correctional work and {iii} care of shelter homes and remand homes.

The backward classes enjoy a number of privileges guaranteed under the Constitution of India, and certain specific grants are made by the Government for ameliorating their conditions. Besides normal concessions made available to them, special schemes have been framed for them by the State Government under the Five Year Plans. The backward classes face threefold problems-economic, social and educational.

The inmates of the backward class hostels receive up to Rs.20 to Rs.25 per head. The wards of parents whose income does not exceed Rs.1,800 per annum are also eligible for this grant. During 1961-62, Rs.1,61,953 were paid as grants-in-aid to backward class hostels and Rs.3,741 were paid to inmates staying in cosmopolitan hostels.

There are 21 recognised backward class hostels and one cosmopolitan hostel. The pupils belonging to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, vimukta jatis, nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes are entitled for free studentships, and scholarships. The scholarships are provided to students on the basis of merit. The expenditure on account of free studentship, scholarships and examination fees, etc. amounted to Rs.78,238 in 1961-62. With a view to inculcate the habits of cleanliness among children and develop co-operative life and better cultural life balwadis have been opened. Similarly, sanskar kendras to develop the spirit of nationalism have been opened at various places in the district.

In order to make backward class people economically independent, the Government have introduced various schemes such as subsidy for well construction, financial assistance for the construction of houses, loans for cottage industries, aid in kind to backward class members to start dairying, farming, cattle-breeding etc. Among other things supply of seeds and oil pumps is made to them. Besides subsidy in kind, free legal assistance is given to the members of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.The Social Welfare Officer extends grants to dance and drama festivals, wrestling bouts etc.

The Social Welfare Officer has to conduct Vanamahotsava, Sangeet Mahotsava, Tamasha Mahotsava etc. He scrutinises the applications for grant to artists, authors, musicians, etc.

To inculcate the liking for education among backward classes, many scholarships and freeships have been offered at all stages of education by the Government. of Maharashtra. In addition, hostel facilities, supply of stationery at concessional rates are also offered to students. Balwadis and sanskar kendras are run for the spread of literacy among the masses.

Economic rehabilitation is achieved by the distribution of waste land for cultivation among the members of backward classes. The grants for digging up new wells and repairs for existing ones, building materials for housing purposes, etc. are regularly supplied to them. The training centres in various crafts are established for the benefit of these classes and grants are given to them for starting new cottage industries. A certain percentage of total vacancies in Government service is also reserved for these classes.

Social Uplift.-Activities under this head are intended to bring about social equality by removing untouchability. To achieve this, various socio-cultural programmes, common dinners and weeks, of propaganda against untouchability are .arranged. Marriages between members of backward classes with members of other classes are encouraged.

PANCHAYAT SAMITIS

As per provisions contained in section 57 of the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, a Panchayat Samiti has been provided for every block. Every Panchayat Samiti shall consist of the following members:

(a) All councillors who are elected on the Zilla Parishad from the electoral divisions in the block.
(b) The co-opted councillor of the Zilla Parishad residing in the block.
(c) The chairmen of such co-operative societies, conducting the business of purchase and sale of agricultural products in the black is nominated by Government (to be associate members).
(d) The chairman of a co-operative society conducting business relating to agriculture not being a society falling under
(c) above in the black, co-opted by the Panchayat Samiti (to be an associate member).
(e) In case of non-availability of a woman member or a member of scheduled castes or scheduled tribes, one member each to be co-opted by the Panchayat Samiti, from the black who is a regular resident.
(f) Sarpanchas elected by members of the village panchayats,.

The composition of 8 Panchayat Samitis in Nanded district is as, follows:

Panchayat Samiti	No. of Elected Sarpanchas	Chairman of Co-operative Society	Zilla Parishad Councillors
1	2	3	4
(1) Nanded	12	1	6
(2) Kandhar	16	1	8
(3) Hadgaon	14	1	7
(4) Mukhed	10	1	5
(5) Kinwat	10	1	5
(6) Bhokar	8	1	4
(7) Biloli	16	1	8
(8) Deglur	8	1	4

The term of the office of the Chairman and members of the Panchayat Samiti is co-terminous (vide section 59 of the Zilla Parishad Act).

The Chairman of the Panchayat Samiti is paid an honorarium of Rs.300 per month with the facilities of free residential accommodation (vide section 69 of the Act). The Deputy Chair man of the Panchayat Samiti is paid an honorarium of Rs.150 per month (vide section 69 of the Act). The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman are to devote sufficient time and attention to the duties of their offices.

The elections of Sarpanchas under clause “F” of section 57 of the Zilla Parishad Act, were held under the secret ballot system.

Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules or regulations made thereunder:

(1) The Chairman of a Panchayat Samiti shall---

(a) convene, preside at and conduct meetings of the Panchayat Samiti;
(b) have access to the records of the Panchayat Samiti;
(c) exercise supervision and control over the acts of officers and servants, of or under the Zilla Parishad and working in the block in matters of execution or administration (including the carrying into effect the resolutions and decisions of the Panchayat Samiti) and the accounts and records of the Panchayat Samiti and
(d) in relation to works and development schemes to be undertaken from block grants, exercise such powers of sanctioning acquisition of property or sale or transfer thereof as may be specified by the State Government.

(2) The Chairman of a Panchayat Samiti may---

(a) call for any information, return, statement, account or report from any officer or servant working under the Pan chayat Samiti; and
(b) enter on and inspect any immoveable property in the block occupied by the Zilla Parishad, or any institution in the block under the control and management of the Zilla Parishad, or the Panchayat Samiti or any work or development scheme in progress in the block undertaken by the Zilla Parishad or the Panchayat Samiti or under its direction.

Deputy Chairman

The Deputy Chairman of a Panchayat Samiti shall---

(a) in the absence of the Chairman, preside at the meetings of the Panchayat Samiti;
(b) exercise such of the powers and perform such of the duties of the Chairman of the Panchayat Samiti as the Chairman from time to time may subject to the rules made by the State Government in that behalf, delegate to him by an order in writing; and
(c) pending the election of the Chairman, or during the absence of the Chairman exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Chairman.

The Deputy Chairman of a Panchayat Samiti may enter on and inspect any immoveable property in the block occupied by the Zilla Parishad or any institution in the block under the control and management of the Zilla Parishad or the Panchayat Samiti or any work or development scheme in progress in the block undertaken by the Zilla Parishad or the Panchayat Samiti or under its, direction and shall send a report of such inspection to the Chairman of the Panchayat Samiti.

VILLAGE PANCHAYATS

Village Panchayats from the basis of Local Self-Government in the district. All the villages in the district are covered either by individual or group village panchayats. All the village panchayats are governed by the Bombay Village Panchayats Act, 1958, which was, made applicable to Marathwada region from June 1, 1959 .

Prior to the coming into force of the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, village panchayat were under the control of the District Village Panchayat Mandal, with the Collector as its Chairman. With the coming into force of the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, District Village Panchayat Mandal was abolished and the control over the village panchayats was transferred to the Zilla Parishad.

The maximum and minimum number of members for the constitution of a panchayat are fifteen and seven, respectively. The State Government is empowered to reserve seats under joint electorates for the representation of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. In every panchayat two seats are reserved for women. A panchayt is elected for a term of four years which could be extended up to five years by the Collector if the exigencies of the situation so demand. Besides Sarpanch and Up-Sarpanch there is a secretary for every panchayat or a group of two or three panchayats. He is appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad under section 60 of the Bombay Village Panchayats Act, 1958. It is the duty of the secretary to look after all administrative work of the village panchayats, recover taxes and fees, record proceedings of meetings, give notice of occurrence of vacancy, serve notices of motion , of no confidence, maintain accounts, and record births and deaths.

The village panchayats are guided and inspected by the District Village Panchayat Officer who has now been transferred to the Zilla Parishad. He also takes review of development schemes entrusted to them. The Panchayat Samitis at the tahsil level are also expected to exercise supervision over the proper functioning of village panchayats within their spheres of activity. The Block Development Officers, assisted by Extension Officers for village panchayats are responsible for the smooth functioning of village panchayats within their respective jurisdictions.

The Standing Committee of the Zilla Parishad is empowered to nominate panchas when a casual vacancy in the village panchayat could not be filled in by election within two months. The President of the Zilla Parishad besides being competent to decide dispute regarding the removal of a member of the village panchayat from office for continuous absence of more than six months from the village or for continuous absence from the meetings of the village panchayat, has the power of accepting the resignation of a Sarpanch. The Zilla parishad is vested with the power of removing any member, Up.Sarpanch or Sarpanch for misconduct, neglect of duty or incapacity to perform duty.

The Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samitis are required to encourage and foster the establishment and development of village panchayats. They can also call for any return, statement, account or report from a panchayat which they may think fit.

If it is observed that a panchayat has made default in the performance of its duty, the Standing Committee of the Zilla Parishad may appoint person of its, own choice to perform the duties of the village panchayat. It is provided that the expenses incurred thereof shall be paid by the defaulting panchayat.

The State Government may under section 145 of the Act dissolve a panchayat if it fails to obey orders of Panchayat Samiti and if it persistently disobeys any order of Standing Committee or the orders of Commissioner under section 142.

Under section 46 of the Bombay Village Panchayats Act, 1958, it is the duty of a village panchayat to make provision within the village in regard to all or any of the matters as mentioned in clauses. and sub-clauses of sub-section (1) of section 45, so far as the village fund at its disposal will allow.

As per sub-section (2) of section 45, a panchayat is to make provision, with the previous sanction of the Zilla Parishad, for carrying out, outside the village, any work of the nature specified in sub-section (1).

Under section 45 (4) of the Bombay Village Panchayats Act, 1958, a village panchayat may make provision for any public reception, ceremony or entertainment within the village by resolution passed at its meeting supported by two-thirds of its total strength. On such occasions if the panchayat has to spend more than Rs.50, previous sanction of the Chairman of the Panchayat Samiti and the President of the Zilla Parishad is to be obtained.

Under section 48 of the Act, village panchayats may, subject to such condition as the State Government may impose with the consent of the panchayat concerned, perform such other administrative duties including the distribution of irrigation water after consultation with Panchayat Samiti which will be assigned to it by State Government by notification in Official Gazette.

Under sections 49 and 50 of the Bombay Village Panchayats Act, a village panchayat may form committees from among its members; for the work to be undertaken by it and may delegate any powers or withdraw such powers from such committees.
Under section 61 of the Act, a panchayat is empowered to appoint servants for the discharge of any of its duties and in emergency can employ additional temporary servants.

Under section 62 of the Bombay Village Panchayats Act a panchayat has to submit its annual budget estimates to the Panchayat Samiti which passes it.

Under section 124 of the Act, a panchayat is competent to levy all or any of the taxes mentioned in the section at such rates as it may decide, but subject to the minimum and maximum rates prescribed by the Government in this behalf.

The management and control of cattle pounds has been vested in village panchayats under Chapter XIII of the Bombay Village Panchayats Act, 1958.

The provisions of section 169 of the Bombay Village Panchayats Act as amended by the 10th Schedule of the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, empowers village panchayats to collect land revenue. Village panchayats are entitled to receive revenue grant equal to 30 per cent of the net land revenue of the village and equalisation grant under section 132 (a) of the Bombay Village Panchayats Act, i.e., a grant which shall be equal to the difference between the amount arrived at on a per capita basis and the amount paid to the panchayat under section 131.

A village panchayat is also entitled to receive the income out of the cess at 20 paise per rupee of land revenue under section 127 of the Bombay Village Panchayats Act, 1958.

In addition to the above referred sources of income, the village panchayats have their own local sources of income such as taxes and fees under section 124 of the Bombay Village Panchayats Act, 1958. The Act provides for the establishment of a fund known as the District Village Development Fund to which all the village panchayats are expected to contribute 5 per cent of their net annual income. This Fund, controlled and administered by the Standing Committee of the Zilla Parishad, is established with the object of advancing loans to needy village panchayats for taking up schemes of development especially those of sanitation and public health as mentioned in section 45 of the, Bombay Village Panchayats Act, 1958. Those village panchayats which have meagre resources can apply for loans to the Standing Committee which is empowered to sanction loans up to Rs.30,000. Loans over Rs.30,000 are sanctioned by the Zilla Parishad.

The President of the Zilla Parishad and Chairmen of various Subjects Commititees and Panchayat Samitis are expected to pay visits to village panchayats to bring about co-ordination in their working.

TOWN PLANNING AND VALUATION

Town Planning and Valuation Department functions under the administrative control of the Urban Development and Public Health Department. This Department came Into existence in the year 1914 with the Consulting Surveyor to Government (now designated as “Director of Town Planning” as the head of the Department. The Department principally deals with two important subjects, viz., ‘Town Planning’ and ‘Valuation of Real Property’. The duties and functions of this Department, are as under

Town Planning:-

(1) to educate, advise and assist the municipalities in the preparation of development plans of town planning schemes;

(2) to perform the duties of the Town Planning Officers when so appointed by Government, to scrutinise building permission cases, to tender advice to the Board of Appeal and to draw up the final schemes;

(3) to issue certificates of tenure and tide to the owners of lands included in the town planning schemes;

(4) to advise Governn1ent on all matters regarding town and country planning including legislation;

(5) to advise and prepare town development, improvement extension and slum clearance schemes under the Municipal Acts;

(6) to prepare development schemes or layouts of lands

(i) belonging to Government, and
(ii) belonging to co-operative housing societies and private bodies with the sanction of Government;

(7) to advise officers concerned in respect of village planning and preparation of layouts for model villages, etc.; .

(8) to advise Government on housing, slum clearance regional planning and prevention of ribbon development;

(9) to prepare type designs for the housing of the middle and poorer classes including Harijans; and

(10) to scrutinise miscellaneous building permission cases and layouts received from the Collectors and to recommend suitable building regulations for adoption in the areas concerned.

Valuation.- The Director of Town Planning, is the chief expert adviser to the Government and his duties include -

(1) valuation of agricultural and non-agricultural lands and properties belonging to the Government;

(2) scrutiny of awards of compensation (if and when received from Government) ;

(3) making available trained technical assistants to do duty as Special Land Acquisition Officers in important towns where the land acquisition work is of a very in1portant and responsible nature;

(4) giving expert evidence when called upon Ito do so in the District Courts and High Court when appeals are lodged against awards of compensation under the Land Acquisition Act; and

(5) undertaking valuation work on behalf of Railways and other departments of Central Government and private bodies with the sanction of Government on payment of fees, etc.

Other Miscellaneous Duties

(1) to advise the various heads of departments of Government in the selection of sites required for public purpose;
(2) to see that all town planning schemes or layouts schemes sanctioned by Government are properly executed within a reasonable period or periods fixed in the schemes; and
(3) to advise Government as regards interpretation, amendment Dr addition to the Bombay Town Planning Act, or rules thereunder.

Organisation

The Consulting Surveyor to the Government, (now designated as “Director of Town Planning”) is the head of the department with headquarters at Poona. He has under him one Assistant Consulting Surveyor to Government (now designated as Deputy Director of Town Planning), one Deputy Assistant Consulting Surveyor to Government (now designated as Assistant Director of Town Planning), and two Senior Assistants (now designated as “Town Planner”). These Assistants are posted at Bombay Kolhapur, Nagpur, Amravati, Aurangabad, Jalgaan, Kalyan and Sholapur to attend to the work of town and country planning. Some of the officers have been appointed to function as the Land Acquisition Officers.

The statutory powers regarding planning were embodied in the Bombay Town Planning Act, 1915, which was in force till its replacement by the Bombay Town Planning Act, 1954. The new Act generally incorporates the provisions of the Bombay Town Planning Act, 1915, and in addition makes it compulsory for every Local Authority (barring Village Panchayats) to prepare a development plan far the entire area within its jurisdiction. The development plan aims, at the improvement of existing congested gaothan portion of the town and contains proposals in respect of the out-lying- open areas so as to guide the development on planned basis. The proposals of the development plan can be implemented by the preparation of statutory town planning schemes. In preparing town planning schemes, the planner can ignore to a great extent the existing plot boundaries. In designing the lay-out the existing holdings can be reconstituted and made subservient to the plan, and building plots, of good shape and frontage can be allotted to the owners of lands ill-shaped for building purposes and without access. The cost of a scheme can be recovered from the owners benefited to the extent of 50 per cent of the increase in the value of the land estimated to accrue by the carrying out of the works contemplated in the scheme. When a draft town planning scheme prepared by a Local Authority in consultation with the owners is sanctioned a Town Planning Officer is appointed. His duties are to hear each owner individually, consider his objections or suggestions and make suitable adjustments or amendments in the draft scheme proposals, if found necessary.

As most of the Local Authorities have no technical staff of their own to prepare the development plans this department prepares the development plans for Local Authorities under the provisions of the Bombay Town Planning Act, 1954.

There is at present no branch office of this department in the Nanded district. During the period from August 15, 1947 to October 30, 1956, the Chief Town Planner of the former Hyderabad State looked after the town planning activities in the towns of Nanded district. Consequent upon the Reorganisation of States in November 1956, a new branch office of this department came into existence at Aurangabad for the five districts of Marathwada with the Assistant Director of Town Planning as its head.

Master Plans, development schemes and town extension schemes have been prepared for five towns in the Nanded district, viz., Nanded, Ardhapur, Dharmabad, Naigaon and Mudkhed under the provisions of Hyderabad Sanitary Powers Act, 1352 Fasli (1943 A.D.). The development schemes and town planning extension schemes have generally been prepared for the out-lying areas of the old towns in course of development. All these plans have been approved by the Government. The village extension and town extension schemes for Naigaon and Mudkhed have also been prepared. The Master Plan of Nanded which was approved by the Government in the year 1953 is being revised.

In addition to the above, a number of layouts for the planning of open lands requiring development and replanning of congested areas were carried out.

Under the Hyderabad District Municipalities Act, 1956, town planning is made compulsory.

It is proposed to extend the application of the Bombay Town Planning Act, 1954, to the above areas replacing the relevant provisions of town planning existing under the Hyderabad District Municipalities. Act, 1956.