APPENDICES

APPENDIX I.

DEPARTMENTS TRANSFERRED TO ZILLA PARISHAD.

INTRODUCTION.

Public administration in the State in the last century consisted mostly of providing security to person and property and raising the revenue necessary for the purpose. The Public Works Department was the only other branch of sufficient importance but its activities of construction and maintenance were, apart from roads and irrigation works, confined to buildings required for the departments of Government. With the spread of Western education and the growth of political consciousness in the country and as a result of the gradual association of a few Indians with some aspects of the work of Government, the demand arose for the expansion of Governmental activities into what were called " Nation Building Departments," namely, Education, Health, Agriculture, Co-operation, etc.

After the close of World War II and the attainment of independence by India in 1947, an all-out effort was made to achieve a Welfare State as rapidly as possible and to build up a socially directed economy. The present activities of the State, therefore, require a much more elaborate system than what was felt to be necessary during the 19th century.

ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE.

Under the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, the following departments of the State operating in the District, have been transferred to the Zilla Parishad:—

1. General Administration Department.

2. Local Self-Government, excluding Municipalities and Municipal Boroughs.

3. Developmental Departments: Agriculture, Veterinary, Forests, Co-operation, Industrial Co-operatives and Village Industries, Industries, Public Works and Road Transport.

4. Welfare Departments: Education, (excluding training colleges and higher education), Technical Industrial Training,' Medical, Public Health, Labour, Prohibition and Excise, Backward Classes, Charity Commissioner, Community Projects and National Extension Service, Social Welfare.

5. Miscellaneous Departments: Publicity and Administration of Managed Estates.

Before the Zilla Parishad came into existence, Local Self-Government in the district was working at district, taluka and village level. It was conducted by various statutory bodies, enjoying local autonomy in different degrees. The progress of these institutions was in three spheres. Firstly, in regard to their constitutions, from fully or partly nominated bodies, they have become entirely elective. Secondly, their franchise, which was widening, had, with the enactment of the Bombay Local Authorities Adult Franchise and Removal of Reservation of Seats Act (XVII of 1950), reached the widest limits possible, viz. universal adult franchise; every person who:—

(a) is a citizen of India,

(b) has attained the age of 21 years, and

(c) has the requisite residence, business premises or taxation qualification, is now entitled to be enrolled as a voter.

Thirdly, wider and wider powers have been gradually conferred on local bodies for the administration of the areas under their charge. There are nine municipalities in Satara District, including one Municipal Borough of Satara, which are not under the control of Zilla Parishad. However, the primary schools lying in the area of these municipalities, with the exception of the primary schools under the Municipal School Board, Satara, are run by the Zilla Parishad.

Under the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, which came into force from 1st May, 1962, all ex-Boards, i.e., District Local Board, District School Board, District Building Committee, District Development Board, were abolished and their work was vested in the Zilla Parishad. All Village Panchayats have to work under their respective Taluka Samitis.

The following offices of the Government also have been taken over by the Zilla Parishad:—

1. District Village Panchayat Mandal.

2.. Agricultural Department.

3. Education Department.

4. Animal Husbandry.

5. Co-operative Department (partial).

6. Social Welfare Department.

7. Publicity Department, excluding Publicity Officer.

8. Industries Department, excluding District Industrial Officer.

9. Health Department, excluding malaria eradication.

10. Works, excluding national highways.

11. Irrigation upto 250 acres.

12. Dry Farming.

1. Agriculture.

SUBJECTS OF ACTIVITIES.

(a) Establishment, management, maintenance and the giving of grants to Agricultural Schools (including grants-in-aid to Agricultural Schools), but not including matters relating to (i) laying down of syllabus, (ii) prescription of text-books and (iii) conducting annual examination.

(b) Crop competitions.

(c) Crop protection.

(d) Crop campaign, (including Kharif and Rabi crop campaign and intensive paddy cultivation.).

(e) Compost and green manures.

(f) Distribution of fertilisers, agricultural implements and agricultural quota of iron, steel and cement.

(g) Demonstration of improved agricultural practices,

(h) Model demonstration or subsidiary seed farms.

(i) Importation and distribution of improved seeds.

(j) Establishment and maintenance of godowns.

(k) Advancement and improvement of agriculture.

(l) Eradication of noxious plants.

(m) Acclimatisation of exotics.

2. Animal Husbandry.

(a) Veterinary aid (excluding district veterinary hospitals but including veterinary dispensaries, 'veterinary aid centres and village veterinary chests).

(b) Improvement of breed of cattle, horses, and other live-stock, (including artificial insemination sub-centres, key village centres, premium bull centres, fodder development plots, silo pits, formation of taluka and district live-stock improvement association and the like, and distribution of improved breed of sheep.)

(c) Distribution of improved poultry.

(d) Organisation of cattle shows and rallies.

3. Forests.

(a) Village forests and grazing lands, (including measures for development of village woodlands for purposes of pasture and fuel.)

4. Social Welfare,

(a) Educational development of backward classes, including, measures relating to:—

1. grant of scholarships, freeships and examination fees to backward class students.

(b) Economic development of backward classes, including:—

(1) giving of financial assistance to individual cultivators in the form of loans and subsidies for the purpose of purchasing agricultural requisites,

(2) giving of financial assistance to individual artisans in the form of loan and subsidies for cottage industries and professions,

(3) supply of spinning wheels to Vimukta Jatis,

(4) development of communications in backward areas,

(5) maintenance of co-operative stores and grant of subsidies to multipurpose co-operative societies for maintenance of staff (so far as co-operative societies having not more than rupees five lakhs working capital each and having jurisdiction over less than a district, are concerned),

(6) establishment of handicraft centres, and

(7) development of cattle-breeding and poultry farms.

(c) Removal of untouchability, including:—

(1) celebration of Harijan weeks,

(2) Zunka-bhakar programme,

(3) encouragement of inter-caste marriages between caste-Hindus and Harijans and

(4) awarding prizes to villages which do outstanding work in the removal of untouchability.

(d) Programmes for welfare of backward classes, including:—

(1) women's and children's welfare programmes or projects,

(2) establishment and maintenance of Balwadis,

(3) undertaking propaganda and publicity for welfare of backward classes,

(4) organisation of entertainment programmes for backward classes,

(5) holding social melas,

(6) Sanskar Kendras, community-cum-recrcation centres and community halls for backward classes,

(7) supply of clothes to Vimukta Jatis,

(8) financial assistance to individuals for purchase of medicines, and giving of grants to voluntary agencies for administering medical relief,

(9) provision of houses for backward class persons, and

(10) provision of drinking water wells.

(e) Training of backward classes, including:—

(1) organisation of training camps, and

(2) technical training and training in improved methods of hereditary occupations.

5. Education.

(a) Establishment, management, maintenance, inspection and visiting of primary schools and basic schools, including grants-in-aid to schools but excluding items relating to:—

(i) laying down of syllabus,

(ii) prescription of text-books,

(iii) conducting scholarship examinations,

(iv) conducting Primary School Certificate Examination and Standard IV examination and

(v) such other powers as are vested in the State Government, under the Bombay Primary Education Act, 1947.

(b) Establishment, management, maintenance, inspection and visiting of Secondary Schools, excluding items relating to:—

(i) prescription of curriculum,

(ii) prescription of text-books,

(iii) rates of and conditions for maintenance grant,

(iv) permission for conversions of high schools into higher secondary schools,

(v) rates of fees,

(vi) laying down general conditions for recognition,

(vii) conduct of primary and high school scholarship examinations, and

(viii) such other powers as may be specifically entrusted to the Director

of Education or reserved for the State Government, under the Grant-in-Aid Code.

In the case of private secondary schools, only recommendation of grants and loans and their disbursement on sanction from the Director of Education is done.

(c) Grant of loans and scholarship to students in respect of primary and secondary education.

(d) Construction and maintenance of primary and secondary school buildings of the Zilla Parishad.

(e) Other educational objects.

(f) Provision of equipment and playgrounds for schools.

6. Medical.

(a) Taluka dispensaries, including their upgrading.

(b) Hospitals, excluding civil and cottage as also big Government Hospitals.

(c) Subsidised Medical Practitioners' Centres.

(d) Rural Medical Relief Centres and Public Medical Relief.

(e) Grant of financial assistance to institutions giving anti-rabic treatment to indigent persons.

(f) Grants-in-aid to private charitable hospitals, dispensaries, maternity homes and other such institutions.

7. Ayurvedic.

(a) Ayurvedic and Unani dispensaries, (including the giving of grants to such dispensaries).

(b) Replenishing stock of Ayurvedic medicine chest in villages.

8. Public Health.

(a) Primary Health Centres.

(b) Mobile Hygiene Units.

(c) Combined Medical and Public Health Units.

(d) Vaccination.

(e) School Health Service.

(f) Measures for treatment of Anti-yaws.

(g) Maternity and Child Welfare Centres.

(h) Maintenance of medicine boxes in villages,

(i) Facilities for health education.

(j) Rural sanitation.

(k) Taking of necessary measures in the interest of public health.

(l) Reclamation of unhealthy localities.

9. Buildings and Communications.

(a) Construction, maintenance and repairs of':—

(i) Village Roads,

(ii) Other District Roads,

(iii) Major District Roads, and

(iv) Bridges on above mentioned roads.

(b) Rural parks and gardens.

(c) Construction of administrative and other buildings in connection with Zilla Parishad's requirements.

(e) Means of communications, other than roads.

(f) Public ferries.

(g) Maintenance of trees in the vicinity of roads.

(h) Light, railways and tramways.

(i) Telephone lines.

10. Public Health Engineering,

(a) Rural water supply.

(b) Protected water supply for fairs in rural areas.

(c) Rural drainage.

(d) Works for preservation of water for drinking, bathing and cooking, from pollution.

11. Irrigation.

Minor Irrigation Works (only those works which irrigate 250 acres or less).

12. Industries and Cottage Industries.

(c) Training institutes and schools, excluding research institutes and institutes meant for an area larger than a district.

(d) Training-cum-production centres and production centres.

(e) Sales depots and emporia.

(f) Giving of grants-in-aid and loans to individual craftsmen.

(g) Giving of stipends to trainees.

(h) Promotion and development of cottage and village industries,

(i) Organising marketing facilities for cottage and village industries products.

(j) Giving of grants-in-aid and loans to industrial co-operatives.

(k) Handlooms.

(l) Executive work relating to enforcement of Weights and Measures Act.

13. Co-operation.

(a) Registration of co-operative societies (only in respect of those societies whose working capital does not exceed rupees five lakhs each and whose jurisdiction is less than the district).

(b) Approval to bye-laws of the type of societies mentioned above.

(c) Appeals arising out of non-admission of members to the type of societies mentioned above.

(d) Administrative supervision over co-operative societies (only to the extent of examination of the general working of societies, their management and financial position, with a view to improving the business standards adopted by the societies and their office-bearers and also extending their activities).

(e) Promotion and extension (in respect of all types of co-operative societies).

(f) Sponsoring of applications of co-operative societies for financial assistance from the State Government.

(g) Sponsoring of applications of co-operative societies (such as may be specified by the Registrar of Co-operative Societies) to concerned federal societies in respect or participation in share capital.

(h) Taking shares in co-operatives in those cases in which the State Government can take shares subject to conditions laid down by the Registrar of Cooperative Societies.

(i) Supervision and control over Agricultural Produce Markets (only the district level work of supervision and control).

14. Publicity.

(a) Mobile publicity vans.

(b) Organising district exhibitions.

(c) Publicity through recreational activities.

(d) Rural broadcasting.

15. Community Development.

(a) Community Development Programme.

(b) Local Development Works Programme.

16. Social Education.

(a) Community recreation centres.

(b) Adult literacy centres.

(c) Sports, games, playgrounds, equipment and welfare organisations,

(d) Kisan melas.

(e) Conduct visits.

(f) Dissemination of information.

(g) Short camps.

(h) Women's organisations and welfare,

(i) Children's organisation and welfare.

(j) Mobile cinema vans.

(k) Libraries and reading rooms.

(l) Fairs, shows and exhibitions.

17. Rural Housing,

(a) Rural Housing.

18. Miscellaneous.

(a) Village uplift.

(b) Building model villages, (including grants and loans for the purpose).

(c) Economic welfare of villages.

(d) Local works or measures likely to promote health, safety, comfort or convenience of the public.

(e) Markets.

(f) Dharmashalas, resthouses, travellers' bungalows, sarais and the like.

(g) Chawadis.

(h) Other public institutions.

(i) Local unemployment, other than industrial unemployment.

(j)) Improvement and extension of village sites, (including grants and loans for the purpose).

(k) Laying new village sites, (including grants and loans for the purpose).

(l) Well-being of employees of Zilla Parishad.

(m) Provision of houses for employees of Zilla Parishad.

(n) Planting and preservation of trees on public grounds and gardens.

(o) Rewards for destruction of wild animals.

(p) Public receptions and ceremonies and entertainment.

(q) Arrangement for local pilgrimages.

(r) Burial and cremation grounds.

(s) Sammelans of Panchas, Sarpanchas of Village Panchayats and other non-officials.

(t) Local vagrancy relief for the poor, (u) Maintenance of poor-houses.

SECTION II.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND  CONSTITUTION OF THE ZILLA PARISHAD.

Previous history of the Boards and other Local Self-Government Institutions.

Like the Greek City States, the villages in ancient India had always been autonomous units. The characteristic feature of administration in ancient India was the prevalence of freedom and autonomy in governing the village institutions. In course of time due to invasions and depredations of Muslim rulers the villages lost their autonomy as more power came to be vested and concentrated in the sovereign kings.

During the British Administration, some attempts were made to revive the Local Self-Government Institutions in India with a view to giving people training in the administration of such institutions by giving them representations in such local bodies. As a result of this, subsequently, Municipalities, District School Boards and Taluka Local Boards came to be established. In course of time, village panchayats came to be founded and as a result of this it was possible for British Government to regenerate confidence among the masses inhabiting the rural areas.

Vidarbha organised its Gram Panchayats and Nyaya-Panehayats in 1946, while as in Marathwada Region the Village Panchayats started functioning in every village with a population of 5,000 and above in 1941. After the reorganisation of the erstwhile State of Bombay, the Village Panchayats Act was passed in 1958, for the whole State. Due to this Act for every district a Village Panchayat Mandal was set up. Not only this but Gat-Nyaya Panchayats came to be organised for groups of five or more than five Village Panchayats.

In course of time, the experience gained indicated that the progress of rural development was not commensurate with the expectation of the Government. Various developmental activities introduced in the various Plan periods could not achieve a commendable amount of success owing to non-participation of the villagers in the implementation of such developmental schemes. On the other hand, a trend could be noticed among the masses for undertaking more developmental activities. The Central Government came to the conclusion that it was necessary for the Government to investigate the causes behind such a state of affairs and appointed a Committee called ' Balwantrai Mehta Committee '.

The ' Balwantrai Mehta Committee' visited all the developmental activities, met hundreds of Government Officers, social workers in the Country, interviewed them and submitted its report to Government. The Committee pointed out mainly, among other findings, that the Government could not succeed in appealing and attracting the leadership of the masses in participating in the Community Development and National Developmental Schemes. Institutions of the type of the Local Self-Government had not taken any deep interest in participating in such developmental schemes and had not shown any initiative for such work. The part played by the village gram panchayats in such works was also not very encouraging. There was very often interference from the Government in the affairs of the working of the Local Boards. The Committee came to the conclusion that the urgent necessity of the day, to remedy the above-mentioned state of affairs, was the decentralisation of power and responsibility at the lower level. The Committee, therefore, 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 level, making available the required finances and so on.

The ' Balwantrai Mehta 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, etc., in order to secure integration in the various developmental activities. From the above it may easilv be seen that the Gram Panchayat, the Panchayat Samiti, and the Zilla Parishad are the three responsible functionaries in the decentralisation of administration, who are entrusted with the implementation of the Developmental Schemes.

Thus an Act, to provide for the establislunent in rural areas of Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis, to assign to them local Government functions, and to entrust the execution of certain works and development schemes of the State Five Year Plans to such bodies, and to provide for the decentralisation of powers and functions under certain enactments to those local bodies for the purposes of promoting the development of democratic institutions and securing a greater measure of participation by the people in the Plans and in local and government affairs, was passed in 1961, known as The Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961.

As per provisions contained in Section 9 of the Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, the Satara Zilla Parishad has since been constituted and it has started functioning since 12th August, 1962. The Zilla Parishad consists of the following Councillors:—

(1) Fifty-four elected Councillors, one each from fifty-four electoral divisions in the district.

(2) One woman co-opted by the elected Councillors of the Zilla Parishad.

(3) Eleven Chairmen of eleven Panchayat Samitis in the district, (ex-officio Councillors).

(4) Five Chairmen of five co-operative societies in the district, nominated by Government as detailed under the heading ' Election Procedure.'

Functions Powers and Duties.

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 prevision 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.

Administrative Duties and Powers.

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 plan 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 pre pared 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 2/3rds 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, or 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 as the ease may be, the Panchayat Samiti, 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 Executive 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;

1.1. 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.

Powers and Functions.

Subject to the provisions of this 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 Standing Committee or 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 Subjects 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 Subjects 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 pf the Act),

SECTION III.

CONSTITUTION OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES OF THE PARISHAD.

As per provisions contained in section 78 of the Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, the Zilla Parishad shall appoint a Standing Committee and also the following Subjects Committees: —

1. Finance Committee,

2. Works Committee,

3. Agricultural Committee,

4. Co-operative Committee,

5. Education Committee,

6. Health Committee.

In view of the provisions contained in section 79 (1) of the said Act, the Standing Committee shall consist of: —

1. The President,

2. The Chairmen of the Subjects Committees,

3. Seven Councillors elected by the Zilla Parishad from amongst its Councillors, of whom not less than two shall be members from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes or socially or educationally backward classes,, as far as possible,

4. Not more than two persons to be co-opted by the Parishad, who shall be associate members.

The members to be co-opted, under item 4 above, shall be persons having special knowledge or experience in respect of any of the subjects allotted to the Standing Committee.

The President of the Parishad shall be the ex-officio Chairman of the Standing Committee. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer, shall be She ex-officio Secretary of the Standing Committee.

Subjects-Committees.

1. Committee for Co-operatives.—It shall consist of: —

(i) Five councillors not being associate councillors elected by the Zilla Parishad from amongst its councillors,

(ii) Five associate councillors who shall have the right to vote, [vide section 80 (1) of the Act.]

Other Subjects Committees shall each consist of: —

(i) Seven councillors elected by the Zilla Parishad from amongst its councillors,

(ii) Not more than two. persons to be co-opted by the Parishad, who shall be associate members. The members to be co-opted under this item shall be the persons having special knowledge or experience in respect of the subjects allotted to the relevant Subjects Committees.

The Head of the Department of the Zilla Parishad shall be the ex-officio Secretary of such Committees as the Zilla Parishad may direct.

As per provisions contained in section 81 of the Zilla Parishad Act, no Councillor shall be elected on more than two Committees, including the Standing Committee. No Chairman or Deputy Chairman of the Panchayat Saniiti is eligible for election on any Committee appointed under section 78. Every election to a Committee, including the Standing Committee, shall be held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.

The term of office of members of a Standing Committee and a Subjects Committee of the Parishad shall be co-terminus with the. term of the office of councillors of that Parishad. [vide Section 82 (1) of the Zilla Parishad Act.]

The Vice-President of the Parishad shall be the Chairman of such two Subjects Committees, as the Parishad may determine. The Councillors will, from amongst the elected Councillors, elect two persons to be Chairmen of the remaining Subjects Committees and two such Subjects Committees as determined by the Parishad, are going to be under the same Chairman. (Vide Section 83 of the Zilla Parishad Act.)

Each of the three Chairmen referred to above, will be getting a consolidated honorarium of Rs. 300 per month, with the facilities of free residential accommodation and will be entitled to such T. A. and D. A. as may be prescribed by the Government. (Vide Section 84 of the Act),

SECTION IV.

PANCHAYAT SAMITIS.

As per provisions contained in section 57 of the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, for every block a Panchayat Samiti has been provided, and 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 block as 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 block co-opted by the Panchayat Samiti (to be an associate member).

(e) In case of non-availability of woman member or a member of Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, one member each to be co-opted by the Panchayat Samiti, from the block who is a regular resident.

(f) Sarpanchas elected by members of the Village Panchayats. For the purpose of election of Sarpancha as mentioned in ' f' above, the 54 electoral divisions in the district have been sub-divided into 108 electoral colleges. Each College has returned one member.

Electoral Roll.—All the members of the Village Panchayat included in a College have been registered as the voters for the purpose of election. A Sarpancha of a Village Panchayat is entitled to contest the election under clause ' f ' above.

The 11 Panchayat Samitis, since formulated, consist of the following members at present.

continued.

Chairman.

The first meeting of all Panchayat Samitis in the district was called on 7th August, 1962, in all the respective Blocks, for election of their Chairmen. Accordingly, the Chairmen of all the Panchayat Samitis were declared elected on the same date. The term of the office of the Chairmen and members of the Panchayat Samitis is going to be co-terminus, 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 Chairman of Panchayat Samiti is paid an honorarium of Rs. 150 per month (vide Section 69 of the Act). The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman shall devote sufficient time and attention to the duties of their offices.

Each Panchayat Samiti has yet to co-opt its members falling under clauses 'd ' and 'e' of Section 57 (1) of the Zilla Parishad Act.

The elections of Sarpanchas under clause 'f of section 57 of the Zilla Parishad Act, were held under the secret ballot system.

Powers and functions of Chairman.

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;

(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 Panchayat Samiti;

(b) enter on and inspect any immovable 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.

Powers and Functions of Deputy Chairman.

(1) 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.

(2) The Deputy Chairman of' a Panchayat Samiti may enter on and inspect any immovable 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.

SECTION V.

POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE PRESIDENT. THE VICE PRESIDENT AND OTHER OFFICIALS.

Powers and functions of President.

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 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.

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 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.

Powers and Functions of 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, 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,

Powers and functions of Chairman of Standing Committee and 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 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 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.

Duties, Procedure etc., of Committees to be prescribed by regulations.

Save as otherwise provided by of under this Act, the powers to be exercised and the duties to be discharged by, and which subject enumerated in the district list are to be allotted to, the Standing Committee and each of the Subjects Committees, shall be such as may be prescribed by regulations; but all subjects in relation to social welfare enumerated in the District List are by this section allotted to the Standing Committee. Executive Officers of the Parishad.

Executive Officers of the Parishad.

A Chief Executive Officer, a Deputy Chief Executive Officer, 11 Block Development Officers and the Heads of various departments of the Zilla Parishad are the executive officers of the Zilla Parishad. They are all gazetted officers and are transferable by the State Government to other districts. The Chief Executive Officer belongs to the cadre of 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, are to 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 District Fund.

There are five State Government Officers in the General Administration Department, two in the Finance Department, three in the Agriculture Department, five in the Education Department (including the Head Master of the Pratapsinh High School, Satara), one in the Industries and Co-operative Department, five in the Works Department, six in the Health Department, one in the Revenue Department, and eleven Block Development Officers. Of the Gazette-" Officers, the Chief Executive Officer, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Accounts and Finance Officer, the Educational Inspector and District Engineer are Class I Officers.

Powers and [Vide.Sections 95 to 99 of the Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act. 1961.] duties Executive officers.

(1) 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 office 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 committees (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; 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 servants of Class III service and Class IV service under the Zilla Parishad.

(2) Deputy Chief Executive Officer: —

(1) He shall be the Secretary, ex-officio, of the Zilla Parishad, as well as the Standing Committee, (vide section 9 and 79 of the Act).

(3) Block Development Officer:—

(1) He shall have the custody of all papers and documents connected with the proceedings of meetings of the Panchayat Samitis.

(2) He shall be the Secretary, ex-officio, of the Panchayat Samiti. (vide Section 57 of the Act).

(3) He 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.

(4) He shall call for any information, return, statement, account, report or explanation from any of the officers or servants working under the Panchayat Samiti.

(5) He shall draw and disburse money out of the grant or grants payable to the Panchayat Samiti under Sections 185 and 188.

(6) He 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.

(4) 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 a Department of a Zilla Parishad specified by the Zilla Parishad in this behalf, shall be the secretary, ex-officio, of such Subject Committees as the Zilla Parishad may direct, (vide Section 80 of the Act).

The various Subject Committees are:—

(a) Finance Committee,

(b) Works Committee,

(c) Agriculture Committee,

(d) Co-operatives Committee,

(e) Education Committee and

(f) Health Committee.

SECTION VI.

ELECTION PROCEDURE.

Under clause A of Sub-section (1) of Seetion 9 of the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, Satara District has been divided into 54 electoral divisions for the purpose of the elections of the Councillors to Satara Zilla Parishad. These divisions have been formed on the basis of population, every Councillor being elected approximately for a population of 35,000. Due attention has also been paid to variations in geographical conditions of the Block, for instance, in Mahabaleshwar Block, 2 electoral divisions have been formulated entitling them to return two elected Councillors.

2. Each Electoral Division has returned one Councillor and there was separate election for each Electoral Division. Three seats for Scheduled Castes-are reserved, one each for Targaon Division, Taluka Koregaon; Vaduj Division, Khahtav Block and Nimblak Division, in Phaltan Block. No reservation has been given to Scheduled Tribes in the district.

3. The break up of the number of Councillors in the Satara Zilla Parishad is as follows:—

(a) 54 Councillors elected by direct elections. The details of the elected Councillors are as under:—

(b) One woman has been co-opted by the elected Councillors in (a) above.

(c) 11 Chairmen from the Panchayat Samitis in the district (out of these 11 chairmen, 8 are already elected Councillors and remaining three are from elected Sarpanchas of Village Panchayats on Panchayat Samitis in the district), and

(d) 5 Chairmen of Co-operative Societies as nominated by Government are as under: —

1. Chairman of Co-operative Land Mortgage Bank Ltd., Karad.

2. Chairman of Satara District Sale and Purchase Union Ltd., Satara.

3. Chairman of Satara District Co-operative Association Ltd., Satara.

4. Chairman of Satara District Co-operative Board Ltd., Satara.

5. Chairman of Satara District Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Satara.

Thus it will be seen that the Satara Zilla Parishad consists of 62 Councillors in all, of which 9 Councillors are in dual capacities.

4. Electoral Roll.—The electoral rolls of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Constituencies prepared under the provisions of the Representation of the Peoples Act, 1950, and which were in force on 30th April, 1962, were utilised as the Voter's list for the purpose of electing the 54 Councillors mentioned above. The elections of the Zilla Parishad were organised and carried out on the same lines as these of the Assembly and Parliamentary Elections, held in February, 1962, i.e., by secret ballot system. Every person whose name is in the list of the voters of any Electoral Division of the District is entitled to contest the election, vide Section 15 of the Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961. The disqualifications for being Councillors are enumerated in Section 16 of the said Act.

Term of Offices.-The term of office of the President, the Vice-President and the Councillors will be of 5 years duration from 12th August, 1962 vide Section 10 of the Act.

Honorarium.—In accordance with the provisions of Section 46 of the Act, the President, who is supposed to devote sufficient time and attention to the duties of his office, shall be paid an honorarium of Rs. 500 per month in addition to the facilities of free residential accommodation. The Vice-President shall be paid Rs. 300 per month as honorarium besides free residential accommodation. He will receive this honorarium by virtue of his being the Chairman of the two Subject Committees as shall be determined by the Zilla Parishad vide Section 83 of the Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961. The other two Chairmen of the two Subject-Committees each will also be paid Rs. 300 each per month as honorarium with free residential accommodation.

SECTION VII.

FINANCE.

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 in Zilla Parishad, (6) all sums received by the Zilla Parishad, for 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 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 Satara District Fund is to be deposited in the Satara District Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Satara. The following are the charges to be defrayed by the Zilla Parishad from the District Fund.

(i) The monthly honoraria to the presiding authorities (e.g. the President, the Vice-President, Chairmen of the subject committees and Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of the Panchayat Samitis).

(ii) The travelling and other allowances of the Councillors, members of any Panchayat Samiti or committee and of officers holding posts under and the servants of Zilla Parishad.

(iii) The salaries and allowances of the officers and the servants of the Class III service and Class IV service working under the Zilla Parishad.

(iv) Pensions (including contributions towards pensions) and other retiring allowances, gratuities or compassionate allowances payable to officers and servants and their families.

(v) The cost of acquisition of land and establishment of markets.

(vi) The cost of performance of agency functions entrusted to it.

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 Satara 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 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 HI and IV.

(5) Deficit adjustment grant:—The duration of this grant is for the first five years of the Zilla Farishad 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 Farishads and Panchayat Samitis 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:—These 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 of 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 naye paise per every rupee of 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 or buildings.

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

(a) a licence fee on brokers, commission agents, weighmen or measurers 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 balances of the former District Local Board and the District School Board as they stood on 30th April, 1962, balance in the ledger account of the District Building Committee (including public contributions) as on 30th April 1962, the balance in the Pension and Provident Fund accounts of the Predecessor and the District School Board were Rs. 12,765.97 Rs. 22 317.57 and Rs. 8,729.44, respectively.

In 1962-63, the Zilla Parishad, Satara, expected that the following amounts would be realised:—

The expenditure on various items was expected to be as under:—

SECTION VIII.

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT.

WORKING ON VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.

Introductory.—The General Administration Department of the Zilla Parishad came into being with effect from 1st May, 1962, along with six other Departments of the Zilla Parishad. The General Administration Department is headed by the Chief Executive Officer himself who is helped by two Officers in the Deputy Collector's grade, viz., the Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Administrative Officer. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer plays an important role in the Administration of Zilla Parishad next to Chief Executive Officer, as he has to look after the whole affairs of the General Administration Department in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer. Besides he is the secretary of the Standing Committee of the Zilla Parishad. Prior to 1st May, 1962, the General Administration Department was not in existence but two branches of the Collector's office viz. Development Branch and Village Panchayat Branch were dealing with the development work. The Development Branch was headad by the District Project Officer in the Deputy Collector's grade and the Village Panchayat Branch by Village Panchayat Officer who was also in the Deputy Collector's grade. The important role of the General Administration Department of Zilla Parishad is to control the whole non-gazetted establishment of the Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis, to arrange for the meetings of Zilla Parishad and Subject Committee, to plan for the Development Works to be undertaken by Zilla Parishad and to keep administrative control on all Departments and Panchayat Samitis. All Revenue and Village Panchayat matters of Zilla Parishad are dealt with by this department. According to the budget estimates prepared for the year 1962-63 the following provisions have been made for incurring expenditure: —

II(a) Staffing pattern of Panchayat Samitis.—At present there are 11 Panchayat Samitis in the District which are headed by Block Development Officers who are Gazetted Officers in the rank of Mamlatdars. Formerly i.e. before the 1st May, 1962, the Panchayat Samitis were termed as Development Blocks. Government is now considering to fix the staffing pattern of Panchayat Samitis on the basis of population of blocks. For this purpose the blocks have been put into three grades as shown below:—

(1) Blocks having population less than 60,000.

(2) Blocks having population between 60,000 and 1,20,000.

(3) Blocks having population over 1,20,000.

In the proposed staffing pattern the above categories of blocks will roughly get the following staff: —

There are 1, 4 and 6 blocks of 1, 2 and 3 categories in the District respectively.

III. Powers, duties and functions.—The Chief Executive Officer holds the powers as mentioned in section 95 of the Maharashtra Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961.

IV. Works and schemes undertaken and to he implemented.—The Community Development Programme and the Local Development Programme were formerly dealt with by the Collector's Development Branch. The General Administration Department is now dealing with these two programme's. The details of the Community Development programme, Local Development and Housing Programme are as under:—

Community Development Programme.—The Community Development Programme started in Satara district from the year 1953 and talukas one after the other were taken up under this programme. At present all the 9 talukas and 2 mahals in the district arc covered by Community Development Programme. They are in the following stages:—

The schematic budget provision for these blocks is as under:-

The blocks have to incur the expenditure on the following sectors of development programme:—

(1) Project Headquarters.

(2) Agriculture and Animal Husbandry.

(3) Irrigation.

(4) Reclamation.

(5) Education.

(6) Social Education.

(7) Health and Sanitation.

(8) Communication.

(9) Rural arts and Crafts Industries.

(10) Housing.

The expenditure under the above heads was being incurred by the Block Development Officers prior to 1st May 1962. The same procedure is adopted by the Block Development Officers after the formation of the Zilla Parishad.

Rural Housing Scheme.—The scheme of Rural Housing was previously dealt with by the Community Development Branch of the Collector's Office. From 1st May 1962 i.e. after formation of Zilla Parishad, the Community Development Branch is merged with the Zilla Parishad and the Chief Executive Officer sanctions loans subject to the availability of the funds in the block budget. From 1st May 1962 loans to the extent of Rs. 5,448 in respect of 7 cases have been sanctioned.

Under the Government orders the scheme has not been transferred to the Zilla Parishad. The scheme is therefore, being transferred to the Collector of Satara and all the Block Development Officers, have been informed accordingly to send the cases duly enquired into, direct to the Collector for further action.

Local Development Works Programme.—A grant of Rs. 1,50,000 was placed at the disposal of the Collector of Satara for execution of the Local Development Works during the year 1961-62. Out of this sanctioned grant Rs. 1,18,455.51 nPs. were utilised on 15 Local Development Works up to the end of March 1962 and for completing previous works.

As no separate grants were sanctioned by Government the Finance Depart-ment of the Zilla Parishad has taken the matter with Government as District Funds cannot be utilised by the Zilla Parishads for Local Development Works.

Works and Schemes retained by State Government.—The Five Year Plan schemes which were dealt with by the Collector's Development Branch are now being dealt with by the Collector and the programme has not been transferred to Zilla Parishad.

Village Panchayat Branch.—Prior to 1st May 1962, the Village Panchayat Administration was run under the Bombay Village Panchayats Act, 1958. One District Village Panchayat Mandal was constituted for each District to perform tho duties and exercise the powers, given under the above act. The strength of the Satara District Village Panchayat Mandal was 19, out of which tan Collector; the President, District Local Board; the Chairman, District School Board and the Vice-Chairman, District Development Board were the ex-officio members. Out of the remaining, four members were nominated by the District Local Board and the others were the non-official members elected by the Sarpanchas of the Village Panchayats at one per Taluka. Generally, the meetings of the District Village Panchayat Mandal were convened quarterly. The total strength of the Village Panchayats in the district is 744 and that of the Village Panchayat Secretaries is 381. All the villages in the district were covered under Village Panchayats except 61 villages in Koyna valley in Patan and Jaoli talukas. As some of these villages are submerged and the others are going to be submerged under the waters of the Koyna Dam, no Village Panchayats have been established at these villages.

Now, after the inception of the Maharashtra Zilla Farishad and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, the control of general administration of the Village Panchayat is transferred to Zilla parishad. The post of the District Village Panchayat Officer is abolished. The District Village Panchayat Mandal is also abolished with effect from 1st May 1962. At present, the Village Panchayat administration is run at the Block and District levels under the general control of the Taluka Panchayat Samitis and Zilla Parishad. The staffing pattern of the Village Panchayat Staff is shown separately under General Administration Department.

Revenue Branch.—Prior to 1st May 1962 the Revenue Branch was not in existence. It is established since 1st May 1962. It consists of one Revenue Officer and other necessary staff. No specific scheme or work has been entrusted to this branch. However, the work of the following nature is done in this branch:—

(1) Grant of permission to the Village Panchayat to lease, sell or otherwise transfer lands vested in them for development work.

(2) Removal of encroachments on the properties and roads vested in the Zilla Parishad, and the Village Panchayats.

(3) Proposals for Acquisition of Lands for development works.

(4) Miscellaneous recoveries due to Zilla Parishad.

Social Welfare Branch.

The office of the Social Welfare Officer, Satara, is now transferred to the Zilla Parishad with effect from 1st May 1962. The subjects transferred to Zilla Parishad under Social Welfare are enumerated in the Maharashtra Government Gazette extraordinary, dated 1st May, 1962. Though the hostels therein have been shown as transferred to the Zilla Parishad, in actuality however, the hostels continue to be with the Director of Social Welfare, 'Maharashtra State, Poona i.e., with the Government in State sector.

1. The genesis of the present Department.-In the year 1928, the then Government of Bombay had appointed a Committee under the Chairmanship of Mr. O. B. H. Starte, I.C.S., to investigate into the problems of the untouchables and to suggest various schemes for the uplift and amelioration of the Backward Classes. Early efforts were directed for long to emancipate the backward classes from the stigma of untouchability. The Committee viewed the problem of the untouchables from all angles and submitted its report to Government in the following year, with the result that the Department of the Backward Classes was founded in the year, 1931. It may be pointed out here that this was not a new beginning. Prior to this, Mr. O. B. H. Starte was already working as Criminal Tribes 'Settlement Officer, right from 1909. Government had opened various Settlements for rehabilitation of the Criminal Tribes in places like Bijapur, Sholapur, Hubli, etc., which were considered as the citadels of criminal depredations leading to high-way robberies, looting, and so on. This position was taken advantage of and the new Department for Backward Classes started functioning, as pointed above. In the initial stages the office of the Backward Class Officer, Bombay State, was located at Poona. The Department of the Backward Classes looked after the admission of the untouchable pupils in primary and secondary schools, problems of segregation of Backward Classes from public schools, opening hostels for the Backward Classes, awarding lump-sum-scholarships to Backward Class pupils, watching their recruitment under Government, giving them lands for construction of houses and so on. This position continued till the year 1947 when the Government of Bombay repealed the Criminal Tribes Settlement Act, 1924, from the Statute Book and in the subsequent years the offices of Backward Class Officers at the District levels were opened to do justice to the demands of the Back-ward Classes who had by then completely been conscious of their political, social and economic rights. The nomenclature, the Social Welfare Officer, vice the Backward Class Officer at the District level and the Director of Social Welfare in place of Director of Backward Class Welfare for Bombay State was introduced in 1957 and since then the work of the Social Welfare Department has been expanding progressively on more wider lines than hitherto, before.

The work of the amelioration of the Backward Classes has been channelised in three avenues:—

1. Education uplift.

2. Economic uplift.

3. Miscellaneous, pertaining to eradication of untouchability and so on.

2. Working of the Department.—The District Social Welfare Officer is the representative of the Director of Social Welfare at the District level. He is a Gazetted Officer in Class II and is expected to look after all sorts of educational and economic concessions and various other matters affecting the welfare of Backward Classes. The grants are released by the Director of Social Welfare and the Social Welfare Officer administers them in accordance with the rules of grant-in-aid in this behalf. Since the transfer of the District Social Welfare Officer to Zilla Parishad, there is no change in the pattern of work and status quo in the matter of the procedure of work has been maintained.

3. Previous Committee and its abolition.—With the transfer of the Social Welfare Department at the District level the Social Welfare Sub-Committee of the District Development Board has been abolished. Hereafter the subject of Social Welfare will be administered by the Standing Committee under the Chairmanship of the President of the Zilla Parishad. The Social Welfare Subcommittee worked in the capacity of an advisory committee:—

(1) The Committee always discussed matters relating to offences emerging out of the observance of the Removal of Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955.

(2) Award of prizes to villages for having done outstanding work in the removal of untouchability and propaganda of Backward Class Welfare Measures and observance of Harijan weeks.

(3) To provide information regarding grievances and needs of Backward Classes.

(4) To form a channel of communication between the Director of Social Welfare and the Backward Classes.

(5) To give their opinions on the questions referred to them by the Backward Class Board or the Director of Social Welfare.

(6) To help backward classes by bringing their needs and grievances to the notice of the local officers concerned.

(7) To adopt suitable measures for the removal of untouchability and other special disabilities and removal of harmful social customs among the various Backward Classes.

(8) To carry on propaganda work as far as possible among the Backward Classes.

Backward Class and Cosmopolitan Hostels.

4. Administration of the Backward Classes Measures.— (1) Grant-in-Aid— Hitherto (up to 30th April, 1962) the grant-in-aid to Backward Class and Cosmopolitan Hostels were paid by the Social Welfare Officer. The grants were paid at the rate of Rs. 20 and Rs. 25 per month per inmate for ten months in a year respectively for boys and girls, on the sanctioned. strength of the inmates of the hostels. Ten per cent of the inmates of the category of the economically Backward Classes (whose or whose parents' or guardian's annual income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 1,200) were also held eligible for the purposes of grant. The Government intentions in releasing grants on account of Economically Backward Class pupils to such hostels on 10 per cent. of their strength were to give an incentive to the scheme of the removal of untouchability and to assist the backward class pupils to lead a co-operative life and to develop common cultural traditions. The backward class boys and girls pursuing courses up to Pre-S. S. C. stage, staying in Cosmopolitan Hostels are also eligible for payment of grant-in-aid on their messing allowances on full-cost basis. The concession of payment of grant-in-aid on account of messing allowances is restricted to boys and girls belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes only. It is however, observed here that this concession is also admissible to candidates who have failed in the Post-S. S. C. Course only once and who prefer to stay in backward class hostels. In addition to concessions of the payment of grant-in-aid at the rates pointed out above, the voluntary agencies also receive grants on the emoluments of qualified resident Superintendents of the scales prescribed by the Department at 50 per cent basis up to Rs. 100 per month whichever is less. Besides, such managements of hostels also receive a grant on the rents of the hostel buildings which are duly certified by the Officers of Buildings and Communications Department as reasonable at 50 per cent basis. The non-recurring grants for purchase of equipments, utensils, clothing, beds, etc., are also paid by the Director of Social Welfare on the recommendations of the Social Welfare Officer, provided the managements pay 1/4 share of such proposed expenditures. Managements desirous of constructing the hostel building according to Government specification are also eligible to receive building grants at the prescribed rates.

The hostels continue to remain into the State sector with the Director of Social Welfare and the responsibilities regarding payment of grant-in-aid, inspections etc. will remain with the Zilla Parishad on agency basis.

During the year 1961-62, the grants paid to the backward class hostels in the district amounted to Rs. 1,82,147.00 for 1,152 inmates, and lis..14,386.00 for 104 inmates staying in Cosmopolitan hostels.

(2) Number of Hostels.—There are 35 recognised backward class hostels and 18 cosmopolitan hostels.

(3) Grant of Recognition to Backward Class and Cosmopolitan Hostels —

The grant of recognition to a newly started backward class hostels or cosmopolitan hostels are subject to fulfilment of conditions laid down in this behalf. The recognition is granted by the Director of Social Welfare on the recommendations of the Social Welfare Officer.

Educational Concessions.—All pupils of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Vimukta Tatis, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes are eligible for award of free-studentship irrespective of the age and income in all types of recognised institutions at all stages of education. However, in cases of boys and girls from the above categories whose or whose parents' or guardian's annual income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 1,200 their fees are reimbursed by the Education Officer of the Zilla Parishad to the institutions concerned. In those cases where the annual income exceeds Rs. 1,200 the fees are reimbursed by the Social Welfare Officer to the institutions concerned. As a rule pupils of the above category arc allowed one failure between Standards VIII to X and one failure in the Standard XI. They become eligible for award of free-studentship on passing the Standard concerned.

The expenditure on account of the award of free-studentship, Scholarships and Examination fees to 40,055 Backward Class pupils during the year 1961-62 was Rs. 1,39,105.

(ii) Scholarships.—The scholarships are paid to the pupils of the Backward Classes of various categories at different rates on the basis of merit-cum-poverty and subject to the condition of availability of funds.

Rates of Scholarships to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes pupils.

Rates of Scholarships to other Backward Classes (Based on Castes), Vimukta Jatis and Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes.

Continuance of scholarships is subject to passing of annual examination, regular attendance, good conduct, and satisfactory progress. While awarding scholarships the cases of continuance are considered first and then fresh cases are considered.

Payment of Examination Fees.—Payment of examination fees for various recognised examinations in recognised institutions is made to pupils belonging to Backward Classes.

Sanskar Kendras and Balwcadis.-With a view to inculcating habits of cleanliness, for socializing the children of the Backward Classes to develop corporate life, for promotion of leadership, better language habits, and the promotion of better cultural traditions, understanding and instilling nationalism among the members of the Backward Classes, the Government have recognised Balwadis and Sanskar Kendras respectively in the State. In this district there are five Balwadis and two Sanskar Kendras. The expenditure incurred during the year 1961-1962 was Rs. 3,112 for two sanskar kendras and Rs. 9,158 for four Balwadis.

Ashram Schools.—There is one Vimukta Jati Ashram School at Gondavale Budruk, taluka Man. The Ashram School is considered to be a superior type of institution for imparting instruction to children of the ex-Criminal Tribes, where lodging and boarding facilities are provided for, and the children are required to remain in the premises of the School. Prior to 1st May 1962, grants were paid by the Education Department to the School.

Economic uplift.—In order to enable the Backward Classes to live and pursue an honest life, Government have introduced schemes with a view to make them self-supporting. The schemes and the expenditure incurred on this account is given separately. A short description of the implementation of these schemes is as follows:—

Short Description of Schemes.

(1) Repairs to Wells.—To improve water facilties in or near Harijan localities as well as to induce the caste Hindus to avail themselves of water facilities near about Harijan localities and thus accelerate the pace of eradication of untouchability, subsidy of Rs. 750 per well is to be given. An expenditure over and above this amount, is to be incurred by the villagers themselves.

(2) Aid for Housing to Scheduled Castes.—The Scheme aims at giving financial assistance to individuals belonging to Scheduled Castes, whose houses are. either damaged by torrential rains or the blasts of heavy winds which result into the houses being up-rooted or the roofs blown off leaving the inmates without any protection. With this end in view, financial assistance to the extent of Rs. 100 is given to the individuals from the Scheduled Castes for purchase of housing material like zinc sheets, wood etc.

(3) Subsidy to Cottage Industries and Professions.—Under this scheme, financial assistance is given on loan-cum-subsidy basis for taking to suitable Cottage Industries or Professions or avocations or making events in their existing methods of work. Assistance is admissible for taking to suitable cottage industries or to professions or avocations like hawking, brick-making, rough iron ware, cycle repairing shop, earthen pots, coir making, etc. The maximum amount of loan-cum-subsidy assistance is Rs. 500 (twenty-five per cent. being subsidy and seventy-five per cent. being loan). The loan is interest-free and is recoverable in fifty instalments. The recovery of loan starts after 18 months from the date of payment.

(4) Grant of Loan-cum-Subsidy Assistance to Scheduled Castes for purchase of Cows and Buffaloes.—With a view to encouraging the Scheduled Castes to take to cattle breeding and dairy farming and thus supplement their income, cows or buffaloes on loan-cum-subsidy basis are supplied to them. Fifty per cent of the cost is borne by the Government by way of subsidy and the balance by way of interest-free loan is recoverable in fifty instalments. The recovery of loan starts after eighteen months from the date of payment.

(5) Drinking Water Wells.—Drinking water facilities in scheduled castes locality, especially in rural areas are extremely unsatisfactory. To improve the water supply facilities in Harijan localities as well as to induce the caste Hindus to avail themselves of water facilities in and near about Harijan localities and thus to accelerate the pace of the eradication of untouchability, subsidy of Rs. 1,000 is given which is the maximum subsidy. The expenditure over and above this is incurred by the villagers themselves.

(6) Supply of Plough Bullocks to Vimukta Jatis.—The scheme aims at supplying bullocks to the Vimukta Jatis who are agriculturists. The selling cost of an animal is fixed at Rs. 300. One-fourth of the expenditure is to be borne by the beneficiary and three-fourths by the Government.

(7) Supply of Seeds to Vimukta Jati Cultivators.—Some of the Vimukta Jatis are good agriculturists but their family conditions are miserable. Hence they are in need of agricultural implements, seeds, etc. at concessional rates for cultivating their lands. They are unable to purchase improved seeds at full cost and hence they are supplied with seeds at the concessional rate of half of the cost. The other half is treated as subsidy and is borne by the Government.

(8) Supply of Agricultural Implements to Vimukta Jatis.—Due to the poor economic conditions of the Vimukta Jatis they cannot afford to cultivate lands on a profitable basis even when the lands are allotted to them by Government as they lack the means, such as ploughs, bullocks etc. Hence they are sup-plied with ploughs at ^1/4 cost to be borne by the beneficiary and the balance of ^3/4 is to be borne by the Government.

(9) Grant of Loan-cum-Suhsidy Assistance to Vimukta Jatis for Cottage Industries and Professions.—The scheme is implemented exactly in the same manner as mentioned against item No. 3 above i.e. Subsidy for Cottage Industries and Professions to Scheduled Castes.

(10) Building Sites to Harijans.—The residential localities of Scheduled Castes especially in rural areas are congested and unhealthy. The Scheduled Castes are too poor to purchase suitable sites. Hence they are given financial assistance to purchase suitable sites for construction of houses. The amount is not paid to them in cash but the land is purchased for them. The ceiling fixed for this purpose is Rs. 200. The deeds have got to be registered in the Sub-Registrar's office.

Development of under-developed areas

The following schemes are implemented only in three talukas i.e. (i) Maha-baleshwar peta, (ii) selected villages of western part of Satara and (iii) selected villages in Patan taluka. List of such villages in Patan and western part of Satara taluka is enclosed.

(11) Supply of Oil Pumps.—Agriculture is the main occupation, by and large, of the people of underdeveloped areas. The objective of economic uplift of these people will be achieved only if they are provided with every kind of help for modernisation of their agricultural system. Hence the scheme for the Supply of oil pumps to the agriculturists in underdeveloped areas is subject to the condition that they have at least six acres of land which is supposed! to be economic land-holding per family. A pump costs on an average Rs. 3,000 of which 60 per cent subject to the maximum of Rs. 2,000 is given as subsidy and the rest by way of interest-free loan.

(12) Grant of Loan-cum-Subsidy for Cottage Industries and Professions.—It is essential to have a more diversified programme for the economic uplift of the people of the underdeveloped areas. The scheme proposes to grant subsidy to the hawkers, bricklayers, umbrella-repairers, barbers, carpenters, etc. Financial assistance is given on loan-cum-subsidy basis in the ratio of 75 per cent. and 25 per cent, respectively. The amount of financial assistance does not exceed Rs. 500 in any individual case.

(13) Supply of Plough Bullocks.—In order to plough the fields, the agri-culturists require bullocks. The people in underdeveloped areas are not in a position to purchase plough bullocks with their present financial resources and hence bullocks are purchased for them. Celling cost of each bullock is Rs. 300. The entire expenditure is borne by Government.

 Development of under-developed areas.

(14) Supply of implements.—Besides other facilities granted to the agri-culturists of the under-developed areas, agricultural implements are supplied to them. They are unable to purchase new implements owing to poverty. Ceiling cost of each implement is Rs. 100 and all the expenditure is to be borne by the Government.

(15) Supply of Milch Cattle.—For the inhabitants of the under-developed areas, sources of income are very few. Hence milch cattle are supplied to them on loan-cum-subsidy basis, 50 per cent. of grant being loan, the other 50 per cent subsidy. Ceiling cost of an animal is fixed at Rs. 300.

(16) Supply of Carts.—Besides help in all agricultural facilities, help in transport is also one of the main necessities of the present day life. The people of the under-developed areas are not in a position to have trans-port for their agricultural goods. Hence they are supplied with carts. The rate per cart is fixed at Rs. 300. This is a subsidy scheme and expenditure is borne by the Government.

(17) Drinking Water Wells.—It is a matter of common knowledge that drinking water facilities in rural areas are far from satisfactory; and the facilities in the under-developed areas are all the more unsatisfactory. It is therefore incumbent upon the Government to construct as many wells as possible to provide clean drinking water facilities. Hence the scheme has been introduced. The maximum subsidy allowed under the scheme is Rs. 1,750 per well and any expenditure over and above this, is borne by the villagers themselves.

(18) Housing.—Housing conditions in under-developed areas are extremely bad. Subsidy to the extent of Rs. 750 per family is given in two instalments. The scheme is implemented exactly in the same manner and pattern as sanctioned under the Centrally Sponsored Programme. The beneficiaries are from one village only, and not scattered from village to village.

III Five-Year Plan Schemes.

(19) Grant of Loan-cum-Subsidy for Cottage Industries and Professions to Scheduled Castes.—The Scheme is implemented exactly in the same manner as per description given against item No. 2 above " Subsidy for Cottage Industries and Professions to Scheduled Castes ".

(20) Supply of Milch Cattle to Scheduled Castes.—The scheme is implemented in the same manner as per description given against item No. 4 above i.e., " Grant of Loan-cum-Subsidy Assistance to Scheduled Castes for the purchase of Cows and Buffaloes."

(21) Grant of Loan-cum-Subsidy for Cottage Industries to Other Backward Classes.—The remarks given against item No. 19 above also apply to this scheme.

(22) Supply of Milch Cattle to Other Backward Classes.—The remarks given against item No. 20 above also apply to this scheme.

(23) Milch Cattle to Vimukta Jatis—The remarks given against item No. 20 above also apply to this scheme.

(24) Loan-cum-Subsidy for Cottage Industries to Vimukta Jatis.—The remarks given against item No. 19 above also apply to the scheme.

(25) Drinking Water Wells.—The scheme is implemented as per write up given against item No. 5 above.

(26) Medical Aid to Scheduled Castes—The Scheduled Castes, due to their economic backwardness cannot avail themselves of costly medicines. Under the scheme, grants are sanctioned for purchase of medicines, spects, dentures, etc. Grants may also be sanctioned for X-Ray, blood-tests, Radium Therapy and for undergoing journeys for treatment. Grants are sanctioned according to the merits of each case.

Miscellaneous Measures-To minister the needs of the Backward Classes for their all-sided development, various measures at the district level are adopted and implemented. The Social Welfare Officer carefully watches whether the prescribed percentage of recruitment of Backward Classes in the various categories of services under Government is maintained or not. The District Social Welfare Officer maintains a list of Registered candidates for employment and is required to be consulted by other departments for recruitment of Backward Classes as per the lists supplied by the Employment Exchange Officers.

2. The Social Welfare Officer endeavours to redress the grievances of harassment received from the Backward Classes through the departments concerned.

3. The Social Welfare Officer has to sanction free legal assistance to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and Vimukta Jatis people.

4. The recommendations in connection with the registration of the Backward Class Societies are to be routed through the agency of the Social Welfare Officer.

5. The Social Welfare Officer guards the interests of the Backward Classes in the point of recruitment. He is a member of the selection committee for the Class III and class IV servants of the revenue department.

6. In disposal of waste lands to Backward Classes the Social Welfare Officer is invariably consulted. In the cases of grant of such lands to Non-Backward Class people, the Social Welfare Officer has to issue 'No Objection Certificate '.

7. He has also to look after the activities relating to Natya Mahotsava, Sangit Mahotsava, Tamasha Mahotsava, etc.

8. He has to scrutinise and recommend the assistance to be given to the artists and authors, dance, drama and music schools, wrestling instructors, trainees, etc. This assistance is given irrespective of whether the persons concerned belong to Backward or Non-Backward Classes.

Correctional Administration Wing.—The Social Welfare Department has two wings. The Backward Class wing and the Correctional Administration wing. The activities pertaining to the Backward Class Welfare wing are so far enumerated in the foregoing pages.

On the correctional side at the district level, the Social Welfare Officer of the Zilla Parishad has to visit Reception Centres, Beggars' Homes and Remand Homes, etc.

Statement showing expenditure and the Targets under the schemes implemented for the economic uplift of Backward Classes.

Publicity Branch.

Department as such, the Publicity Department is a separate Department.. The following schemes, as shown at Serial Nos. 160 to 163 in the Maharashtra Government Gazette, Extra., May 1, 1962, were being implemented by the District Publicity Officer, Satara, upto 30th April 1962. With the enforcement of the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961, these schemes along with the staff have been transferred to Satara Zilla Parishad and are attached to the Social Welfare Branch:—

(1) Mobile Publicity Van.

(2) Organising District Exhibitions.

(3) Publicity through recreational activities, and

(4) Rural Broadcasting.

Publicity Schemes.

(1) Mobile Publicity Van.—The films produced and supplied or approved by the State Director of Publicity and those supplied by Government of India are exhibited in the District.

(2) Organising District Exhibitions.—Propaganda of the measures undertaken by Government is made in the exhibition through hand-outs, posters, etc. supplied by Government.

(3) Publicity through Recreational Activities.—Entertainment programmes such as Bhajan, Kirtan and Ballad singing, etc. are being arranged and carried out.

(4) Rural Broadcasting.—Radios are being provided by the State Rural Broad-casting Organisation to Village Panchayats and the routine maintenance of these Radios is being done by the staff provided for that purpose.

Works Department.

Works Department is one of the Departments merged with the Zilla Parishad, Satara. This Department is meant for carrying out construction works of the Zilla Parishad. Other details are as under:—

Before the formation of the Zilla Parishad, the construction works were under the control of Ex-D. L. B., Satara and P. W. D., Satara. After the formation of the Zilla Parishad, the following construction works are transferred to the Zilla Parishad:—

(1) Buildings and the construction works of the Roads and their repairs etc. under the control of the Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samitis and Village Panchayats.

(2) Rural Village Water Supply Works and well works for the said purposes.

(3) Minor Irrigation Schemes of Bandharas under which 250 acres of land are irrigated.

Roads.

The roads of various categories are under the control of the Zilla Parishad and those are as under:—

(1) Major District Roads.

(2) Other District Roads.

(3) Village Roads. The details regarding the name, length, etc. are given in accompanying schedule.

Buildings.

Office Buildings.

The following buildings are under the administrative control of the Zilla Parishad at present:—

Inspection Bungalows Store Dharmashalas.

(1) Vaduj, (2) Javli, taluka Phaltan, (3) Adarki, taluka Phaltan, (4) Salpa, taluka Phaltan, (5) Deur, taluka Koregaon, (6) Medha, taluka Javli, (7) Pimpoda, taluka Koregaon, (8) Aundh, taluka Khatav.

1) Store house, Rahimatpur (land only).

Veterinary Dispensaries Medical Dispensaries.

(1) Satara, (2) Vaduj, (3) Wai, (4) Mhaswad, (5) Shenoli, and (6) Medha.

 (1) Dahiwadi, (2) Medha, (3) Patan, (4) Pusesavali, (5) Vaduj.

Ayurvedic dispensaries Boarding Houses.

(1) Dahiwadi, (2) Khandala, (3) Koregaon, (4) Vaduj, (5) Ajagaon, taluka Wadi, (6) Malawadi, taluka Man, (7) Undale, taluka Karad, (8) Tarale taluka Patan, (9) Nimsod, taluka Khatav.

Ferries.

Taluka Patan: (1) Yerad, (2) Sangwad, (3) Chafe, (4) Mandnul, (5) Tarale. Taluka Karad: (1) Yerawale, (2) Atake, (3) Kalgaon.

Taluka Satara: (1) Gove, (2) Nandgaon, (3) Kashil, (4) Chinchner, (5) Mardhe, (6) Nisrale, (7) Venegaon, (8) Vechale.

Koregaon Taluka: (1) Dhamner, (2) Takale.

Javli Taluka: (1) Bamnoli.

 Local Buildings Local Buildings under construction.

School buildings which are under construction are as under:—

Wells.

contd.

Bandharas.

LIST OF ROADS IN-CHARGE OF SATARA ZILLA PARISHAD.

MAJOR DISTRICT ROADS (Ex-D. L. B. ROADS).

contd.

contd.

Total of all Village Roads 558.01 miles.

General Remarks.

One of the main objects of establishing Zilla Parishad is to bring about allsided development of rural areas. The Works Department has its own role to play in this respect.

The following items are given prime importance in the development work undertaken by the Works Department:—

(1) School buildings.

(2) Water Supply.

(3) Digging of wells.

(4) Communications.

(5) Industries.

(6) Agriculture.

The provision of school buildings is absolutely necessary for expansion of Primary education and the construction of  school buildings is being executed by Works Department. As regards facilities in Public Health, many works under Public Health i.e. drinking water wells, piped water supply schemes, are also executed by Works Department.

In order to increase agricultural productivity small Bandhara works are necessary so that, the agriculturists may not be required to depend entirely upon uncertain rains. Works Department under the Zilla Parishad intends to concentrate all its attention on Bandhara works which will irrigate lands upto 250 acres. The role of roads is very important as far as development is concerned. Better roads (communications) will not only increase the efficiency of transport but also link villages with towns and cities. Agricultural and Industrial out-put will find market if good roads are available. The villages situated in the heart of hills and on the banks of rivers seldom come in contact with other villages and cities, which are fully or partially developed. This difficulty will be solved if the roads are improved. Taking into consideration the above facts the Works Department under the Zilla Parishad has formulated the programme comprising new constructions of roads and bridges, etc. In addition to this the Works Department, is directing its attention to the maintenance of roads which are under construction and which are already in use.

The Works Department has also taken in hand the work of maintaining Dharmashalas, Inspection Bungalows, etc., with a view to provide accommodation to travellers.

In short it can be stated that the Works Department is playing an important role in all fields of Development of the district.

AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT.

The topographical description and classification of Satara district is discussed in details in chapter I.

Considering the total rain-fall, climatic conditions, soil types, acreages under different crops and the limitations of irrigation facilities, the branch of the Agriculture Department in this district has to aim at additional production of food and non-food crops of this district, by the use of improved seeds, supply of fertilisers, improved methods of agriculture, exploitation of available irrigation resources, and crop-protection measures. For this, free advice is given to the average cultivator through the agency of the Block staff. The supplies of suitable improved strains to the registered seed growers are also made which brings about an increase in the yield of crops by 12 to 15 per cent. It is an established fact that adequate use of nitrogenised and phosphatic fertilisers increase crop yield, which can be further increased by 50 per cent, if irrigation facilities are available. Timely supply of such fertilisers is made to the cultivators through the different schemes. The supplies are effected through the co-operative societies. The improved methods of agriculture do contribute to increased production. Dummy demonstrations are organised to acquaint the cultivators with new methods and their beneficial results.

Schemes of Agricultural Branch. Taluka Seed Farms.

The schemes, which were carried out by the Agricultural Branch, in the district before 1st May, 1962:

There are 9 Taluka Seed Multiplication Farms in the district, out of which 8 Taluka Seed Multiplication Farms were established before 1st May, 1962. Acquisition proceedings of the remaining Seed Farms are in progress. The object of the seed farms is to multiply and supply improved seeds to the registered seed growers. The seed farms should also serve the purpose of ideal farms, so that the neighbouring cultivators can adopt similar improved practices of agriculture.

The location and acreage covered under seed farms are as under:—

On 14th July 1962, the possession of the Taluka Seed Multiplication Farm, Vaduj, was taken by private negotiation and the seed farm was started. The working of the Taluka Seed Multiplication Farms is as under:—

(1) Agricultural Officer in the 1st grade at the District Head-quarters supervises the work under the instructions of the District Agricultural Officer, Satara—one post.

(2) Agricultural Supervisors, I/c, Shirval and Kaloli Farms-2 posts.

(3) Agricultural Assistants, I/c, remaining seed farms—6 posts.

Taluka Godown Scheme.—Only two taluka godowns one each at Satara and Patan have been completed. In the case of remaining talukas proposals for consideration and acquisition of lands have already been sent to the Collector of Satara.

Expenditure and Receipts.—There were 27 schemes in operation under the control of District Agricultural Officer, Satara prior to the formation of Zilla Parishad. The total annual expenditure for operating these schemes during 1961-62 was Rs. 7,13,077.

An amount of Rs. 1,28,137 was given to the cultivators as loan under the Horticultural Development Scheme. The receipts realised for the year 1961-62 were Rs. 74,962.

Oilseed Scheme.-In this district, area under groundnut crop is 1,47,208 acres. Groundnut is the cash crop of this district. Therefore, the scheme of multiplication and distribution was started in the year 1958-59, to increase the production of oilseeds. This scheme includes the supply of improved strain of groundnut namely Karad 4-11. This strain is superior to local seed of groundnut having 17 per cent, higher yield than the local one, with 75 per cent, of the shelling and 48.9 per cent, of oil. The scheme is sponsored partly by Central Government and partly by State Government with equal proportion of funds.

Blasting Scheme.

There are limitations of canal irrigation in this district. Therefore, to increase the irrigated area, it is necessary to make the maximum use of underground water drawn by means of a well. To deepen the wells, it is necessary to remove hard or soft rock, i.e., the layer of deccan trap, which is generally found in the well. This involves lot of time by indigenous method's. Therefore, by use of drills the holes are taken and explosives are used for blasting, for which the Department of Agriculture has launched a scheme of blasting.

Fertilisers and varietal trials on cultivator's field.—The scheme was started in the year 1960-61. The object of the scheme is to determine the improved strains and suitable doses of fertilisers. The crops included in the scheme are (1) Groundnut K-4-11 and (2) Kharif Jowar-Shenoli 4-5.

Crop Competitions.—The village-wise, taluka-wise and District and State level crop competitions are being arranged for paddy, bajri, kharif and rabi jowar, potatoes and wheat in the district, from the year 1959-60 with a view to create a spirit of competition for increasing production. A farmer of Khatgun, taluka Khatav of this district produced 78½ B. Mds. of rabi jowar in an acre and won the State level prize of Rs. 2,000 during 1959-60. Another farmer of Mohot, taluka Jaoli produced 149 B. Mds. of paddy in an acre and won the shield kept by Dharamsi Morarji Chemical Co. Ltd., Bombay.

Fertilisers and Manures.

In order to fulfil the cultivators' demand for fertilisers, the District Agricultural Officer acts as a consignee of the commodity. Every year the demand for fertilisers is assessed and the supply is regulated through three wholesale agencies. These wholesale agencies distribute the fertilisers to the co-operative societies for further distribution to the cultivators. Other fertilisers are also supplied to the remaining crops as per requirement. The average supply made for this district is about 5,000 tons of Nitrogenous fertilisers.

Plant Protection.

During the year 1961-62, 150 compression-sprayers and 150 rocker sprayers were distributed to the cultivators at the 50 per cent, subsidy. Demonstrations of plant protection appliances were held at the taluka places. Agricultural and cattle shows were also arranged. The appliances have been provided on hire to the cultivators, which include hand dusters and sprayers and power dusters and power sprayers. One mobile squad was formed for preventive and curative measures against the swarming attacks of locusts.

Farmers unions.

In this district, village-wise, taluka-wise and district level farmers unions have been established. Total number of farmers' unions is 1,094. These are non-official bodies and are meant to push up the various departmental development programmes in the district by propaganda.

Agricultural Demonstration Centres.

With a view to acquaint the cultivators with the improved technique of farming, cultivating, etc., the Agricultural Demonstration Centres are arranged in the district. They serve as a model for the cultivators in the nearby area. There are 13 demonstration centres functioning in this district.

Green Manuring Scheme.

There is acute problem of supply of farm yard manure or compost for cultivation of crops due to increased area under irrigation and intensive cultivation. The need for such types of manure can be satisfied by growing crops for green manure like sannhemp, dhencya, sesbeni, etc. During 1961-62 and 1962-63, 714 B. Mds. and 1,260 B. Mds. respectively, of sannhemp seed was distributed.

It is advisable to have one pit of compost for one acre of irrigated area and one pit for three acres of dry area. During 1961-62, 2,442 town compost pits and 1,263 rural compost pits were dug and filled in.

Intensive cultivation of paddy—Japanese Method.

Two blocks (namely, Satara-Jaoli and Karad-Patan) each covering 10,000 acres, under paddy crop, have been taken up for growing paddy by Japanese Method of paddy cultivation. The cultivators are being supplied with improved seeds, fertilisers and financial assistance to cover entire area of paddy under Japanese Method.

Kharif and Rabi Campaign.

With a view to increase the production of important crops in the district, a campaign for covering the area under improved methods of growing kharif and rabi crops was started in the year 1959. The crops included in the campaign are (1) paddy, (2) Kharif Jowar, (3) bajri, (4) groundnut, (5) cotton, (6) rabi jowar and (7) wheat.

Pilot Scheme for Intensive Cultivation of Jowar.

With a view to increase the area under jowar crop by Poona method, a Jowar Pilot scheme has been taken in a compact block consisting of 46 villages in Karad Taluka of this district. The coverage last year, under the scheme was 11,586 acres for kharif and rabi season as against the target of 10,000 acres for the district.

Well Construction and Repair Scheme.

For construction of new wells and for repairs to old ones, tagai is granted to the cultivators through the Land Mortgage Bank and subsidy is given at the rate of 25 per cent, for construction of new wells. During the last year the first instalment of loan of Rs. 27,89,400 was distributed to cultivators for 1,543 wells.

Oil Engines and Pumping Sets.

For purchase of oil engines and pumping sets the tagai loans are granted through the Land Mortgage Bank and subsidy is given at the rate of 25 per cent., the maximum amount of subsidy being Rs. 1,000.

Integrated Boring Scheme.

The scheme has been started from July 1960. A target of 400 feet boring work was attained by the Department of Agriculture. In all 5 boring machines are working in the district.

Split up of the scheme between the Zilla Parishad and the State Section:—

Out of the schemes mentioned above which were under the control of the District Agricultural Officer, Satara, before 1st May 1962, the following schemes are retained with the State Section of the Department of Agriculture.

(1) Fertilisers and varietal trials on cultivator's field.

(2) Blasting of wells.

The following schemes are likely to be transferred, viz.:—

(1) Oil Seed Scheme.

(2) Taluka Seed Multiplication Farms. The Government orders in this respect have been received.

Efforts are made with the co-operation of the Village Farmers' Unions at village level to cover the maximum area under improved seeds. Improved seeds are supplied by the Taluka Seed Multiplication farms. The suitable strains of improved seeds are determined by laying out the trials on the cultivators' fields and on Taluka Seed Multiplication farms. The response for the well construction scheme is very satisfactory from all the parts of the district and especially from famine stricken areas. The cultivators of this district have become fertiliser minded, as the results of the use of fertilisers are immediate and conspicuous. This indicates that the acceleration of development has started in right earnest with hopes of success in development of agriculture.

Proposed Schemes.

In addition to the schemes already sanctioned under Zilla Parishad for the current year, it is intended to undertake the following special activities.

Groundnut Dusting Programme.

In all 31,000 acres are scheduled to be dusted with B. H. C. 10 per cent. and sulphur against Aphids and Tika.

 Mango Grafting Programme

The programme of country mango grafting is scheduled to be taken on about 1,000 trees in this district in Patan, Jaoli, Wai, and Satara talukas.

Cashewnut Development Programme.

A five year plan to cover an area of 3,000 acres has been prepared under Cashewnut Development scheme for the western parts of the district. This year about 200 acres will be covered in Patan Taluka.

Establishment  of District Horticultural Nursery.

To supply seedlings and grafts of fruit crops a district Horticultural Nursery scheduled to be established on the site of Pratapsinh High School. Efforts will be made each year to cover an area of 150 acres under fruit crops.

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY SECTION.

 Introductory.

The work regarding treatment of sick animals, vaccination of animals against various diseases of livestock and breeding of animals is being carried out by the Animal Husbandry Section in the district. There are 12 Veterinary Dispensaries and 14 Veterinary Aid Centres in the district. In addition to these there are 12 Veterinary Aid Centres opened by various Development Blocks in the district. The work regarding treatment of animals against the different diseases as well as vaccinations is being carried out by the Veterinary Officers and Stockmen working at these Veterinary Institutes.

The work regarding breeding of pure animals is carried out at the Premium Bull Centre, Gogave. Also the work regarding breeding of animals by natural service is carried out through premium bulls supplied under various schemes of livestock activities. There are 121 premium bulls and 262 premium cows supplied for the purpose of improvement of pure breed and for upgrading of local breed in the district. Similarly the work of breeding of animals is done by artificial insemination. This work is done at the five artificial insemination sub-centres attached to the dispensaries. The work regarding improvement of sheep is carried out at the Sheep and Wool Extension Centres in the district. Poultry development activities are carried out in the district by supplying pure birds.

All the above activities are controlled and supervised by the District Animal Husbandry Officer, Satara. The Livestock activities are specially supervised by the Agricultural Officer, I/C Cattle Breeding, Satara, and by the Agricultural Assistant under him.

Organisation Pattern.

The staff of the office of the District Animal Husbandry Officer, Satara, consisting of one Agricultural Officer, one District Animal Husbandry Officer and others, has been transferred and allotted to Zilla Parishad from 1st May 1962, along with the previous designations and pay scales. The twelve Veterinary Dispensaries mentioned below, functioning prior to 1st May 1962, are allotted to the Zilla Parishad:—

(1) Satara, (2) Medha, (3) Vaduj, (4) Rahimatpur, (5) Wai, (6) Mhaswad, (7) Lonand (8) Phaltan, (9) Nagthana, (10) Karad, (11) Patan and (13) Mahabaleshwar.

Prior to 1st May 1962, the dispensaries except at Nagthana and Mahabaleshwar were maintained by the Ex-District Local Board now merged with the Zilla Parishad.

The following 14 Veterinary Aid Centres are also transferred to Zilla Parishad.

(1) Parali, (2) Vaduth, (3) Kumathe, (4) Nandgaon, (5) Ahire, (6) Shirwal, (7) Umbraj, (8) Shenoli, (9) Ond, (10) Masur, (11) Tarale, (12) Dhebewadi, (13) Asgaon and (14) Bhuinj.

Similarly, Premium Bull Centre, Gogave and Sheep and Wool Extension Centres, Dahiwadi and Mayani are transferred to Zilla Parishad. Veterinary officers, stockmen, and attendants, who were at the above Veterinary Institutes are also allotted to the Zilla Parishad from 1st May 1962.

The compounders, dressers and attendants working at the former District Local Board Dispensaries have been allotted to Zilla Parishad.

The staff at the District Artificial Insemination Centre, Satara, has been recently allotted and transferred to the Zilla Parishad.

Prior to 1st May 1962, 8 Veterinary Aid Centres, were opened by the Development Blocks, viz. Koregaon, Jaoli and Mahabaleshwar (all 1st Stage Blocks) and the same have continued functioning under the Zilla Parishad. Recently four Veterinary Aid Centres have been started in Khatav Block. Similarly, separate Extension Officers for Animal Husbandry are working in the Development Blocks at Satara, Koregaon and Khandala.

Powers, Duties, etc.

Powers exercised by the District Animal Husbandry Officer, Satara, prior to 1st May 1962 were as follows:—

(1) To transfer all subordinate staff in the district, lower in rank than agricultural assistants like stockmen and compounders within the district.

(2) To inspect all the veterinary institutes.

(3) To check the work done by the Field-Staff.

(4) To purchase bulls, cows, etc., for the various schemes of livestock activities.

The Animal Husbandry section has been completely merged in Zilla Parishad with effect from 1st May 1962 due to formation of Zilla Parishad and hence most of the above powers are not exercised by the District Animal Husbandry Officer, Satara, the head of the department now being District Agricultural Officer, Satara.

The following powers are now exercised by the District Animal Husbandry Officer:—

(1) To sanction all kinds of indents of technical nature.

(2) To purchase bulls and cows.

(3) To grant maintenance charges for premium bulls.

The District Animal Husbandry Officer:—

(1) Carries out inspection of all veterinary institutes in the district.

(2) Inspects premium bulls, cows, etc., supplied under various schemes in the district.

(3) Attends cattle fairs and shows held in the district and selects premium bulls for awarding prizes etc.

(4) Effects purchases of premium bulls and premium cows and gives technical guidance in this respect.

The veterinary officer:—

(1) Carries out post-mortem examination and issues necessary certificates.

(2) Carries out treatment and vaccination of animals at the dispensary and also while on tour in the area within his jurisdiction.

(3) Inspects livestock activities in his jurisdiction.

(4) Issues fitness certificates for animals for whom maintenance charges and subsidy are granted.

(5) Attends outbreaks of diseases.

The stockman does the same duties as above except holding of post-mortem examinations and attending to complicated diseases, issue of certificate, etc.

Animal Husbandry Schemes.

The following schemes are implemented by the Animal Husbandry Department:-

Veterinary Aid—Under this scheme Veterinary Dispensaries and Aid Centres are opened. There are 12 Veterinary Dispensaries and 26 Veterinary Aid Centres in the district. During the year, 1961-62, 50,551 veterinary cases were treated and 5,709 castrations were carried out. Also 2,42,166 animals and poultry birds were vaccinated.

From April, 1962 onwards 16,179 cases were treated, 257 animals were castrated and 1,13,140 vaccinations were carried out.

Scheme for opening of Premium Bull Centres in Non-scheduled areas.— There is one Premium Bull Centre opened by Government at Gogave. Two bulls are kept at this centre and they are of the Dangi breed. The advantage of this centre is being taken by the cultivators of Jaoli Taluka.

Scheme for artificial insemination in Cattle.—There are five artificial insemination sub-centres, viz. at Wai, Karad, Patan, Phaltan and Lonand. These centres are attached to respective dispensaries and the work is done by the normal staff. The breeding of animals is done by artificial insemination.

Scheme for extensive work in livestock improvement.—Under this scheme there are 7 supplementary cattle breeding centres in the district. Each centre covers 5 villages. In all, there are 30 bulls and 180 premium cows located in the areas covered by these centres.

Sheep and Wool Extension Centres—The work regarding rearing of rams and up-grading of local breeds is carried out at these centres.

District Premium Bull Scheme.—This is a Third Five-Year Plan Scheme. Under this scheme there are 90 premium bulls placed at various places in the district.

Comprehensive Scheme for Construction of Buildings for Veterinary Dispensaries in the District.—Under this scheme, 4 Veterinary dispensaries have been sanctioned at Kudal, Panchgani, Patan and Dahiwadi, out of which the work of construction of buildings for veterinary dispensary at Dahiwadi is completed. This scheme was implemented by the Executive Engineer, Satara and will now continue under the Zilla Parishad. The scheme is included under the Third Five-Year Plan.