LOCAL SELF-GOVERMENT

ZILLA PARISHAD

Historical Background

In ancient times the villages in India were self-sufficent autonomous units, enjoying some form of political freedom Under the Muslim rule these villages lost their autonomy as the political institution was more autocratic.

During the British regime attempts were made to revive the local self-government institutions in India with a view to training the people in the administration as also to regenerate among the rural masses confidence in the government. The experiment found expression in the creation of institutions such as District School Board, District Local Board, Village Panchayats, etc. In Marathwada region which then formed part of the ex-Hyderabad State, Village Panchayats were established in 1941 in every village with a population of 5,000 and above. After the reorganisation of states the Bombay Village Panchayats Act, 1958, was enacted. Under this act, a Village Panchayat Mandal was set up for every district and gat nyaya panchayats came to be organised for groups of five or more Village Panchayats.

In course of time it was found that various governmental activities introduced under the Plan periods could not achieve a commendable success in rural areas for want of co-operation on the part of villagers in the implementation of such schemes. The 'Balwantrai Mehta Committee' was therefore appointed by the Union Government to look into the causes of non-co-operation and apathy among the people in the rural area. The committee opined that the local self-governing bodies including the panchayats have not shown any initiative for such works due to frequent interference from the government in the affairs and working of such local bodies. It, therefore, concluded that the decentralisaton of power and responsibility at the lower level was the urgent necessity of the day and suggested that the responsibility for such regional and local development work should be assigned to such local institutions at the district level with the government accepting the role of guiding, supervising and planning from a higher plain, making available the required finances and other necessary assistance.

The committee recommended the formation of local committees on par with block development committees to be named as Panchayat Samitis and at the district level a district committee to be called 'Zilla Parishad' instead of the Local Boards, in order to secure integration in the various developmental activities. Thus in the decentralisation of administration the three responsible functionaries entrusted with the implementation of the developmental schemes were to be, the Gram Panchayat, the Panchayat Samiti and the Zilla Parishad.

The recommendations of the committee and the principle of decentralisation were hailed by the central government. The various states enacted acts to this effect. The Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchavat Samitis Act, 1961, provides for the establishment of the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samitis and assigns them local government functions. It also entrusts them with the execution of certain works and development schemes under the State Five-Year Plans. The decentralisation of powers and functions thus achieved was expected to promote the development of democratic institutions and secure a greater measure of participation by the people in the execution of plan schemes and in local and governmental affairs.

Before the creation of the Zilla Parishads the local self-government in Bhir district rested with the District Local Board, constituted under the Hyderabad District Boards Act, 1955.

Under the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961 (No. V of 1962), which came in force from 1st May 1962, all ex-Boards, i.e., District Local Board, District School Board, District Building Committee and the District Development Board were abolished and their work was vested in the Zilla Parishad. All Village Panchayats would now work under their respective Taluka Panchayat Samitis.

Powers and Functions

Under Section 100 of the Zilla Parishads 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 schemes in the district relating to any such subjects.

Among other things, the Zilla Parishad has been empowered under the same section (i.e., 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 or social, economic, or cultural well-being of the inhabitants of the district;

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

3. subject to the rules, made by the State Government in this behalf, the Zilla Parishad may by resolution, passed at its meeting and supported by 2/3rd of its councillors (other than associate councillors) make provision for any public reception, ceremony or entertainment within the district or to contribute towards gathering sponsored by it in the district;

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

5. the Zilla Parishad shall perform such duties and functions as are entrusted to it under any other law for the time being in force;

6. the Zilla Parishad may incur expenditure outside the district on any matter in relation to any of the purposes of this act, such matters being of interest to the residents of the district;

7. the Zilla Parishad shall make adequate arrangements and provisions for payment to its councillors, members of Panchayat Samitis, and members of standing committee subjects committees and any other committee, all expenses incurred in travelling for the purpose of business of the Zilla Parishad or the Panchayat Samiti as the case may be in accordance with the rules, made by the State Government in this behalf;

8. the Zilla Parishad may contribute to any fund sponsored by government to meet any calamity affecting the public in any part of India;

9. subject to the provisions of this act, the Zilla Parishad may exercise general supervision and control over the work of the Chief Execuive Officer;

10. it shall be lawful for the Zilla Parishad, under provisions of the section 102 of the act, to undertake, upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon, the construction, 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;

11. the Zilla Parishad may compromise (vide section 105), in respect of any suit instituted by or against it, or in respect of any claim or demand 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. the Zilla Parishad may 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;

Subject to the provisions of the act, and the rules made thereunder by the state government, a Zilla Parishad may (vide section 106 of the Act):—

(a) do all things necessary for the proper discharge of the functions and duties imposed on it by or under the Act,

(b) sanction works or development schemes within the district (not being works or development schemes which a Panchayat Samiti has been empowered by this Act to sanction within the block from block grants),

(c) at any time, call for any proceedings of the committee of any subjects committee, or for any return, statement, account or report concerning or connected with any subjects allotted thereto,

(d) require any of its officers or servants to attend any meeting of the Zilla Parishad and tender advice on any matter which concerns the department, under which such officer or servant is working; and every such officer or servant shall comply with such requisition,

(e) exercise powers or perform functions in respect of matters which by or under this act, are not expressly conferred or imposed on the Panchayat Samitis or standing committee or a subject committee, presiding authority or officer or servant of or under the Zilla Parishad,

(f) revise or modify any decision taken by the standing committee, a subject committee, presiding authority, or officer of or under, or servant of the Zilla Parishad,

(g) exercise administrative control over officers and servants holding office under it, and

(h) supervise generally the execution of all duties and functions, under this act.

Duties during famine, etc.—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 floods or other natural calamities in any area, it shall be the duty of the Zilla Parishad having jurisdiction over the area, if so directed by the state government, to undertake relief operations in such area either by the 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 direction (Vide rule 107 of the act).

President and Vice-President.—The Bhir Zilla Parishad is presided over by a president, who is elected by the parishad councillors from amongst its elected councillors. The Parishad also elects one of its elected councillors to be the vice-president. The term of office of the president, the vice-president and the councillors is for five years. The president, the vice-president and the chairmen of the subject committees are paid honorarium as laid down in section 46 of the act.

1. 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 fianancial and executive administration of the Zilla Parishad and submit to the Zilla Parishad all question 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 subject committee, or of any Panchayat Samiti.

2. 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 expenses 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 subject committee at their next meeting and the Zilla Parishad, or the committee may amend or annul the direction made by the 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, delegate 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.

1. Chairmen of Standing Committee and Subject Committees.—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 subject 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 immovable 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 may in relation to any subject allotted to any subject committee, also exercises 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.

The standing committee of the Parishad and the six subject committees control the various departments of the Parishad as detailed below—

subject committee—department controlled.

standing committee—general administration.
finance committee—finance.
education committee—education.
co-operation committee—co-operation.
agriculture committee—agriculture.
works committee—works.
health committee—health.

Subject to the provisions of the act, and the rules made thereunder by the state government—

(a) the chairman of the standing committee or subject committee shall—

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

Executive Officers of the Parishad

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. All the executive officers draw their pay and allowances from the consolidated fund of the state except travelling allowance (other than travelling allowance on transfer) which is to be drawn from the district fund.

Powers and Duties of the Executive Officers

[Vide Sections 95 to 99 of the Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961.]

Chief executive officer:—

(i) He 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) He 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) He shall supervise and control the execution of all activities of the Zilla Parishad.

(iv) He 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) He shall draw and disburse money out of the district fund.

(vi) He 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) He shall be entitled to attend the meetings of the Zilla Parishad 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 Maharashtra State Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, 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 subject committees for information. The chief executive officer has already delegated some powers to his subordinates.

(ix) He shall assess and give his opinion confidentially every year on the work of the officers of class I service and class II service holding office under the Zilla Parishad and forward them to such authorities as may be prescribed by the state government and lay down the procedure for writing such reports about the work of officers and class III and class IV employees under the Zilla Parishad.

Panchayat Samitis

As per provisions of Section 57 of the act for every block of a district, a Panchayat Samiti has been provided. Thus in the dis-trict there are seven Panchayat Samitis with headquarters at Bhir, Ashti, Georai, Patoda, Ambejogai, Kaij and Manjlegaon. Membership of these was as follows in 1963: —

Commissioner’s Powers to control Zilla Parishad

The Commissioner of the division has supervisory powers over the Zilla Parishad. He has authority to check any extravagance in the Zilla Parishad administration. This direct link between the Divisional Commissioner and the Zilla Parishad implies that the chief executive officer is responsible to the Divisional Commissioner 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 a 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 officers and officers posted under the Zilla Parishad on the other hand. The regional heads of departments and the Divisional Commissioner play a vital role in not only accelerating the tempo of development work already undertaken but also induce and guide the Parishad subject committees and Panchayat Samitis to take up new schemes or to expand the scope of the existing ones.

Bhir Zilla Parishad

The Bhir Zilla Parishad came into existence from 1st May 1962. The Parishad has been constituted as per provisions contained in section 9 of the act. The Zilla Parishad consists of 63 councillors of whom—

(1) 47 are elected members (including one female councillor),

(2) 3 are associate members (3 chairmen of the co-operative societies, viz., district co-operative association, district central co-operative bank, and district co-operative board);

(3) 1 Chairman, Panchayat Samiti, Patoda; and

(4) 12 co-opted members (2 for each of the six subject committees).

General Administration.—The general administration department of the Zilla Parishad is headed by the chief executive officer. He is assisted by two officers in the deputy collector's grade, viz., the deputy chief executive officer and an administrative officer. The deputy chief executive officer looks after the general administration department in the absence of the chief executive officer. The department exercises administrative control over all other departments of the Zilla Parishad ar Panchayat Samitis; is responsible for planning the development works undertaken by the Parishad and for arranging the meetings of the Parishad and the subject committees. The department also deals with all revenue and Village Panchayat matters of the Zilla Parishad. Work regarding community development has been entrusted to the Zilla Parishads under the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961. It is being carried on through the Taluka Panchayat Samitis. There are at present seven Panchayat Samitis in the district. Each is under the charge of a block development officer who is a gazetted officer in the rank of a tahsildar.

Community Development Programme:

Works and schemes undertaken in Bhir District

Finance.—The finance department of the Zilla Parishad is headed by the chief accounts and finance officer (class I). The department has following sections: (i) audit, (ii) accounts, (iii) budget and (iv) stores. Each section is headed by a head accountant or a deputy accountant. The finance department of the Zilla Parishad 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 known as the 'district fund' has been created in Bhir district and is deposited with the district central co-operative bank. All revenues are credited with this bank and expenditure made therefrom.

Finances of the Zilla Parishad (including financial resources):— A local fund called a "district fund" has been created in this district. The following amounts are to be 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 Sections 144 and 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 all tolls and leases of tolls on roads and bridges vested the Zilla Parishad, (6) all sums received by the Zilla Parishad, for executing of certain specified functions 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 meant for Panchayat Samitis or any institutions or persons which are to be paid through the Zilla Parishad by government, (11) all sums paid by the state 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 income of the Zilla Parishad is the financial assistance received from the Maharashtra state government in the form 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 110).

(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 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 this 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 Samities Act, 1961.

(7) Incentive grants.—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.—The grants are to be paid by the state government through the Zilla Parishad to the blocks for carrying out specific types of works and developmental schemes in the block area.

(10) Advances to be made out of the land revenue recoupment fund for the purposes of meeting any deficit in the amount of land revenue grant (the deficit being due to the suspension or remission of the land revenue).

(11) Grant-in-aid approximately equal to the extra stamp duty realised under 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 the local fund cess.

(ii) Income by way of a cess not exceeding nineteen paise per every rupee of a fater-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 or buildings,

(iv) Income by way of fees in any public market: —

(a) a licence fee on brokers, commission agents, weigh- men or measures practising their calling therein,

(b) a market fee for the right to expose goods for sale in the market or for the use of any building or structure therein,

(c) The fees on the registration of animals sold in the markets (vide section 157).

The stablished budget of the Bhir Zilla Parishad for 1963-64 was as follows: —

Revenue side

Expenditure side

Agriculture Department.—The agricultural development officer is in charge of the agricultural activities in Bhir district. For technical matters he works under the Superindending Agricultural Officer, Aurangabad division and for administrative purposes under the Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad. However, all 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 incharge of the office and technical matters, tahsil seed multiplication farms and the kharif and rabi campaign, respectively. The agricultural supervisor with two agricultural assistants looks after the plant protection activities. Besides, two agricultural assistants at the headquarters assist the district 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 Bhir. Besides, various statutory and non-statutory bodies held in the execution of agricultural programme in the district. They are the district farmers' union and the district land improvement board at the district level; the tahsil farmers' unions at the tahsil level and Village Panchayats and village farmers' unions at the village level.

The agricultural 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 is given in Ch. 13 'Other Departments'.] of the agricultural department in the district can be grouped as under, viz., (ij research, (ii) education and (iii) development.

Animal Husbandry.—The district animal husbandry officer, Bhir is in charge of the animal husbandry activities of the Zilla Parishad. They include treatment of sick animals, castration of acrub bulls, vaccination of all animals and poultry against various diseases of live-stock and breeding of animals. These are carried out by the veterinary officers and the stockmen attached to the veterinary dispensaries and institutions in the district allotted to the Bhir Zilla Parishad.

In the district there are seven tahsil veterinary dispensaries located at Kaij, Ambejogai, Manjlegaon, Georai, Patoda, Bhir and Ashti, respectively, one branch veterinary dispensary at Neknoor and 23 veterinary aid centres at various places.

There is a cattle breeding centre in Kaij tahsil which has four premium bulls and two bulls and 37 cows under the supplementary cattle breeding scheme for the supply of animals of pure breed. Artificial insemination is undertaken at the three sub-centres attached to the veterinary dispensaries at Neknoor, Patoda and Ashti. For development of poultry, demonstration centres are run at Bhir and Ambejogai.

In 1962-63, 60,366 cases were treated at the various veterinary dispensaries in the district; 12,912 animals were castrated and 57,810 vaccinations were carried out.

The following schemes in the district are implemented by the animal husbandry department and are controlled by the regional deputy director, animal husbandry, Aurangabad—

(i) Key village scheme,

(ii) Sheep breeding centre.

(iii) Mutton development scheme.

Co-operation.—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 committee of the Zilla Parishad which controls the department. The industries and co-operation department of the Bhir Zilla Parishad has been formed out of the staff transferred to it from the co-operative department of the state. One assistant registrar, one co-operative officer and one assistant co-operative officer (now termed as the extension officer) 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 membership;

(3) to execute administrative supervision over them,

(4) to maintain district level control over the market committees;

(5) to undertake promotional and developmental activities in the sphere of co-operation and industries;

(6) to grant financial assistance to small-scale and cottage industries, to individual artisans and to industrial co-operatives for purchase of tools and equipment. The recovery of loans given previously rests with the department. The distribution of fertilisers through industrial co-operatives, scrutiny of transport claims and the work pertaining to village production programme are entrusted to the department.

(7) to establish training institutes and schools and running of training-cum-production centres;

At present, the cotton weaving school at Dharur in Kaij and the flax and fibre working school at Kada in Ashti are run under the direct control of the Zilla Parishad.

The extension officers, one for co-operation and one for industries function at each of the Panchayat Samitis in the district. They inspect at least seven societies, in the block area, having a share capital of less than Rs. 10,000 and establish regular liaison among the government, banks, marketing agencies and societies so as to obtain better working and all-round development of co-operatives as well as that of industries.

The loans granted to individual artisans and industrial co-operatives by the industries and co-operation department of the Zilla Parishad amounted to Rs. 24,283 in 1962-63. A sum of Rs. 20,000 was disbursed among displaced goldsmiths up to 31st August 1963.

Works Department.—The works department of the Zilla Parishad is entrusted with the works transferred to it from the Buildings and Communications department, Bhir and the ex-District Local Board and national extension service and community development block works in the district. It is responsible for works relating to: (i) roads, (ii) buildings, (iii) minor irrigation works and (iv) wells and piped water-supply schemes.

(i) Roads: The Zilla Parishad controls the following categories of roads:—

(i) major district roads,
(ii) other district roads,
(iii) village roads.

The total length of roads (major district roads and other district roads) transferred to the Zilla Parishad from the Buildings and Communications department for maintenance purposes is 286.46 km. (178 miles). The approach and village road works, numbering 51 have been transferred to the Parishad from the ex-District Local Board.

The original construction of roads and buildings transferred to the Parishad from the Buildings and Communications department is as follows: —

(i) Sirsala-Sonpet Road—12.87 km. (8 miles).

(ii) Constructing community development works on Ambejogai-Kallam Road at Sawaleshwar stream—40.63 km. (25-2 miles).

(iii) Constructing community development works on Ambejogai-Kallam Road at Yusufwadgaon—37.41 km. (23-2 miles).

(iv) Constructing community development works on Ambejogai-Kallam Road at Sukli stream—35.20 km. (21-7 miles).

(v) Pedgaon-Kamkheda Road—6.43 km. (4 miles).

The Zilla Parishad has placed before the government a proposal for building ten road works with an estimated out-lay of Rs. 85.30 lakhs. Of these the following four road works are proposed out of the additional allotments sanctioned to the Zilla Parishad by government: —

Buildings.—The original construction of buildings for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Education and Medical and Public Health Departments is now entrusted to the works department of the Parishad. The buildings and well-works numbering 47 previously under the control of the District Local Board and 72 well-works under the Public Health Department have also been transferred to the works department of the Zilla Parishad. Two piped water-supply schemes in the district to be executed by Panchayat Samitis from the block funds are now in charge of the Parishad. They are Dongar-Pimpla (in Ambejogai Rs. 33,600) and Kamkheda (in Ambejogai Rs. 46,500). Similarly the following proposed water-supply schemes at (Sautada in Patoda, Dhanora in Ashti and Ambaltake and Renapur in Ambejogai) have been transferred by the Public Health Division, Aurangabad.

Minor irrigation works below 250 acres are transferred to the Zilla Parishad. Irrigation works at the following places previously executed under the national extension service scheme are now under the respective Panchayat Samitis. They are Yellam, Sakhar-borgaon, Ambilwadgaon, Wangaon, Baskhed, Shivni, Khadakighat, Patil, Khadakali and Sripathwadi.

The Parishad has proposed to government the construction of two minor irrigation works, viz., tank at Pangaon in Patoda and at Sonimoha in Kaij at an estimated cost of about Rs. 1,76,000.

Education.—With the formation of the Zilla Parishad, education has now become one of the major and important subjects of the Zilla Parishad. Bodies such as the District School Board, the district building committee, the social education committee of the district development board and other committees and sub-committees on education have now been abolished and their property transferred to the Zilla Parishad.

The education department of the Zilla Parishad is headed by a class I officer of the Maharashtra Educational Service and two class II officers and the necessary subordinate staff. Besides, 17 divisional officers work at the seven tahsils of the district as follows:—

Ambejogai (3); Kaij (3): Bhir (3); Manjlegaon (2); Georai (2); Patoda (2); Ashti (2).

Divisional officers are attached to the district office, and are entrusted with the work of inspection of schools coming under their respective jurisdiction.

The following is the statistics of the educational institutions (both primary and secondary) in Bhir district as on 31st March 1963:—

The expenditure incurred by the Zilla Parishad on education in 1962-63 amounted to Rs. 24,75,902. On secondary education an amount of Rs. 8,16,486 was spent during the same period.

Work in relation to the spread of literacy is entrusted to the divisional educational officers. During 1961—63 work was carried on in 35 villages and work in 202 villages was in hand in 1964 The literacy percentage in the district has increased from 8 in 1951 to 14 in 1961.

Merit scholarships are awarded. Members of the backward classes and political sufferers are awarded special scholarships.

The scheme for supplying school books free to the poor students is being implemented in 11 villages for the present. The Parishad education department publishes a monthly handbill in connection with the progress of educational activities in the district.

For visual education the Parishad education department arranges film-shows in the district.

Medical and Public Health.—Under the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, all responsibilities regarding public health and medical aid in rural areas devolve on the Zilla Parishad. With the formation of Zilla Parishad in 1962 the public health and the medical staff (except that of the civil and cottage hospitals) formerly working under the Medical and Public Health departments and the ex-District Local Board have been transferred to the Zilla Parishad.

The district health officer is the head of the medical and public health department of the Parishad. He is assisted by an epidemic medical officer, seven sanitary inspectors, one leprosy supervisor, five health inspectors and other necessary staff.

The district health officer, Bhir Zilla Parishad is responsible for all activities pertaining to health schemes in the district including preventive work in cholera, small-pox, plague, influenza, etc.; maternity and child health work through primary health centres; supervision of the health of 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 since the formation of the Zilla Parishad. Medical relief is provided by the Parishad through the following agencies in the district: (i) primary health centres, (ii) allopathic, ayurvedic and unani dispensaries, (iii) grant-in-aid and subsidised medical practitioner's centres and (iv) 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 heads is given in Chapter 16-Medical and Public Health Facilities.]

Social Welfare.—The services of the social welfare officer, Bhir. 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) publicity.

Backward Class Work.—The district has considerable backward class population comprising the scheduled castes or harijans (1, 50,000); hill tribes or ginjans (2,000) and vimukta Jatis (26,000) such as Vadars, Kaikadis, Phaseparadhis and Lamans, etc. The department has undertaken several schemes for an all-round development of the backward classes who are found in large numbers near Dharur in Kaij tahsil. Sarvodaya scheme is, therefore, applied from 1958 to 39 villages in Kaij tahsil principally with this view.

The backward classes enjoy a number of special privileges 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 disabilities of the backward classes are mainly three-fold: educational, economic and social. The schemes are, therefore, intended to remove these disabilities within the shortest possible time.

Education.—Education is encouraged by awarding a number of scholarships, giving free studentship, making grants for purchase of books and stationery, examination fees and provision of hostel facilities for backward class students studying at all stages of education, primary, secondary and collegiate. Balvadis and Sanskar Kendras are run for the spread of literacy among the backward classes.

Economic Rehabilitation.—This is mainly sought by grant of cultivable waste lands and extension of other facilities in agriculture such as digging up of new wells and repairs to existing ones and grants of building material for construction of houses. Besides, training centres are established for imparting training in different crafts and financial help in terms of grants and loans is also given to rehabilitate them in various cottage industries. Efforts are made to encourage co-operative activity among them. A certain percentage of vacancies is reserved for them in services under the state government.
Social Uplift.—Activities under this head are intended to bring about removal of untouchability and a gradual assimilation of the backward classes in the general population. Thus various socio-cultural programmes are arranged, common dinners are organised and weeks against untouchability are observed. Marriages between the backward class members and other higher class Population are encouraged.

The expenditure incurred by the social welfare department of the Zilla Parishad during 1962-63 for the welfare of backward classes was as follows:—

Correctional Work.—On the correctional side, the social welfare officer arranges visits to reception centres, beggars' homes and remand homes for inspection.

Publicity Work.—Activities under this heading are as follows: —

(i) Mobile publicity van.—Films produced and supplied or approved by the State Directorate of. Publicity and those supplied by government of India are exhibited in the district.

(ii) Government policies and programmes are publicised through active propaganda by means of exhibitions, posters, etc.

(iii) Recreational programmes such as powadas, bhajans, etc. with nation-building as their theme are arranged mainly in rural areas.

(iv) Radios are provided by the state rural broadcasting organisation to Village Panchayats. The radio sets are maintained by the staff provided for that purpose.