PLACES

MALKAPUR

Malkapur (Sahuwadi T.; 16° 55' N, 73° 55' E; p. 3,299) lies twenty-eight miles north-west of Kolhapur on the left bank of the Sali river and close to the Kolhapur-Amba Pass road. Malkapur was of little importance until 1844 when the Kolhapur Pratinidhi's headquarter was moved to it from Visalgad.

Area and Population.

Of the total population of 3,299 according to the Census figures of 1951, the agricultural classes number 578 and the non-agricultural classes 2,721. Of the latter 571 persons derive their principal means of livelihood from production other than cultivation, 860 persons from commerce; 116 persons from transport, and 1,174 persons from other services and miscellaneous sources.

Municipality.

The civic affairs of the town are managed by a municipality established in 1884 and now functioning under the Bombay District Municipal Act (III) of 1901. The municipal area covers only three-fourth of a square mile. The municipal board is composed of sixteen members, all elected, two seats being reserved for women in wards B and C and two for the Scheduled Castes in ward D. The municipality has appointed three committees, viz., the Managing Committee, the Sanitary Committee and the School Committee to carry on the administration.

Income and Expenditure.

During 1956-57, the total income of the municipality, excluding extraordinary and debt heads amounted to Rs. 26,740, composed of tax on houses and lands, Rs. 1,819; toll, Rs. 4,946; special sanitary cess, Rs. 624; hotel tax, Rs. 376; rents of lands and houses, Rs. 3,168; other taxes, Rs. 9,207; fees and revenue from markets and slaughter-houses, Rs. 3,760; and from miscellaneous and other heads Rs. 3,440. The total expenditure, excluding extraordinary and debt heads, totalled Rs. 36,476, distributed as follows: -office establishment, Rs. 7,130; lighting establishment, Rs. 2,426; water supply Rs. 2,794; drainage, Rs. 545; conservancy (general and special), Rs. 12,144; roads, Rs. 5,745; grants and contributions, Rs. 320; and miscellaneous and other heads, Rs. 5,372.

Municipal Services.

There are eight municipal wells in the town, which supply water to the inhabitants. In summer the roads are wetted by water brought from the river. Drainage is by means of gutters, only some of which are stone-lined, others being kutcha. There is compulsory primary education in the town managed by the Kolhapur District School Board, the municipality paying its statutory contribution. There is a high school managed by the Rayat Siksan Samstha. The municipality gives an annual grant of Rs. 200 to the taluka library which is housed in the municipal building. There is only a length of 1,600 ft. of municipal road in the town. There is a Government dispensary in the centre of the town. There is also a veterinary dispensary maintained by Government in Ucat which is close to the town. There are three municipal dharmasalas. The municipality maintains a cremation shed and a burial place. The Mahommedan community has its own burial place.

Temples.

Malkapur has two chief temples built of stone and motar. One dedicated to Visvesvara is 58' x 27' x 23' high and the other dedicated to Bhimasankar is 55' x 29' x 18' high.

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