LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT

INTRODUCTION

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 or nominated bodies, they have now become entirely 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 limit possible. Thirdly, wider and wider powers have gradually come to be conferred upon these institutions.

The power to control and supervise these institutions is vested in the Divisional Commissioner [The control and supervision of the Municipalities is vested in the Director of Municipal Administration since the introduction of the Maharashtra Municipalities Act, 1965.] 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 promulgated by the Government from time to time.