The councillors unanimously agreed to work whole-heartedly for the success of the party candidates in the elections.

At an earlier meeting attended by the AICC representatives, Mr. Reddy, the Mayor and the Congress Party leader in the Corporation, Mr. T. D. Naganna, it was decided that the Mayor should send a reply to the show-cause notice issued by PCC -chief Devaraj Urs by 2 p. m. Earlier to this, the BCDCC President had already held discussions with the Mayor in which he had advised Mr. Thiwari to help the party candidates in the elections.

Accordingly, the Mayor sent the explanation in which he said that it was not the intention of the councillors to flout the decisions of the MPCC, but they were forced by circumstances to act in the way they did. This had actually upheld the prestige of the party as otherwise the Mayoralty would have gone to the Oppo-sition.

The Mayor said that even now "we are loyal party workers" and that they would abide by any decision the party took and work for the success of party candidates.

In his letter, the Mayor pointed out that the decision on the selection of candidates for the Mayoral elections had been left to the Corporation party. The names were finalised late in the night and the names were proposed the next day, accordingly. After the nominations had already been filed, the then MPCC General Secretary, Mr. N. Hutchmasty Gowda came to the ·Council Hall with the PCC directive, but it was too late.

After the receipt of the explanation, Mr. Reddy contacted PCC President Devaraj Urs, over the telephone who said that "he was satisfied with the explanation" and asked Mr. Reddy to drop "further proceedings."

Corporation Finances

The Bangalore City Corporation might decide to hand over the schools managed by it to the State Government to divert the money saved for providing civic amenities, Mayor Thiwari said on February 16.

Speaking at a reception, the Mayor said it had not been possible to provide some of the basic amenities to the people due to paucity of funds. It was possible to improve them if there was better co-ordination between the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, the MSEB, the CITB and others.

The Mayor expressed the view that the Corporation Council would be more alert to the needs if the people envinced greater interest in the working of the Corporation.

He explained that the expected revenue of the Corporation would be around Rs. eight crores of which the salary bill alone took away Rs. three crores, Rs. 78 lakhs for water, Rs. one crore for education and electric lights, Rs. 2.6 crores for roads and other amenities. What was left for providing more amenities would be less than Rs. one lakh. Though there was scope to increase the house tax, it had not done so to give relief to the people. He thanked the committee for the honour done to him.

Mr. B. V. Desai, Chairman of the Mysore State Financial Corporation, who presided, said in regard to sanitation and town planning, Bangalore compared fovourably with other cities.

Surplus Budget

A Rs. 3.58-crore surplus budget for 1972-73 was presented to the City Corporation on February 21 by Mr. C. Krishnappa, Chairman of the Taxation and Finance Committee.

The proposals in the budget envisage, among other things, civic amenities like construction of six drama theatres, a tourist guest house and a botanical garden-cum

ZOO.

This is the first time in recent years, the civic budget was presented in time.

are

Presenting his Rs. 15.07-crores budget estimates, Mr. Krishnappa said. "Unless the resources of the Corporation improved, it will be very difficult to pro vide funds for basic civic amenities in the City."

However, if his proposals to augment the resources were implemented, a "good income" could be realised.

Having an opening balance of Rs. 3,73,87,670, the proposals for 1972-73 anticipate an income of Rs. 11,33,44,300 and an expenditure of Rs. 11,48,53,550.

While the enhancement of trade licence fees and building licence fees by suitable amendments to the bye-laws and octroi, formed the main sources of income, Mr. Krishnappa made several proposals for the beautification of the City and its efficient administration.

Following are the highlights of the budget proposals:

Construction of the Council Hall (for which the foundation was laid on January 11) to be completed in a year, construction of six drama theatres one in each range, to encourage activities of amateur artistes. (The rates charged by Ravindra Kalakshetra were very high, he pointed out).

Construction of cinema theatres (one during the year) with priority for Kannada films. A tourist guest house to cater to the needs of poor and middle class people visiting the City.

Construction of a public utility building within 30 months with a provision for four cinema theatres in the same building and opening of modern type lavatories (admission on payment) in busy localities like Chickpet, Avenue Road, Balepet, S. K. R.

Market, Russel Market, Commercial street and Kempe Gowda Circle.

Mr.

As the City lacked recreational centres, cxcept the cinema houses, Krishnappa said the proposed botanical garden-cum-zoo at the Koramangala Atchkat should be taken up this year.

The City needed a football stadium, Mr. Krishnappa said and added that the T. and F. Standing Committee had decided to grant Rs. two lakhs to the Mysore State Football Association for the con struction of a stadium. He also suggested the construction of six gymnasia one in each range for the welfare of the City youth to encourage "sound mind in a sound body." There should be a library for the 12,000 employees of the Corpora tion and Councillors to widen their know ledge, he said.

He suggested the constitution of a Sports Committee to meet the needs of sportsmen and a Select Committee of five men to take up the issue of revision of bye-laws and to suggest enhanced rates for trade licence fee and other fees. He wanted the Select Committee to submit its report in three months.

Mr. Krishnappa urged the renewal of the market shows from this year itself.

suggested the introduction of tachometres To ensure economy and efficiency, he in all Corporation vehicles and installation of a PBX for all Corporation telephones except those provided to the Commissioner, "unserviceable" materials in the Corpora the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor. The tion stores should be disposed of by auction, he said.

There was a proposal to dispose of at excluding the Kumara Park quarters, the market value the Corporation quarters multistoreyed quarters and quarters maintained by the Health and the Engineering Departments. "This will not only save the Corporation the expenditure incurred year after year by way of annual maintenance, but will also fetch it additional revenue by way of property tax,"

he said. He appealed to the House to approve his suggestions.

Regarding mosquito control, he said. "The Government should meet the full expenditure," as the finances of the civic body were not sound. He also urged the Commissioner to take immediate steps to clear the slums and check growth of new slums.

The estimated major source of revenue and the major heads of expenditure were as follows:

Revenue (in Rs.): Octroi 360 lakhs; Property Tax 250 lakhs; Corporation share of taxes collected by Government 115 lakhs; Grants and Subsidies 84 lakhs; loans 38 lakhs; Other taxes 103 lakhs.

Expenditure: Council and General Administration 48.75 lakhs; Revenue. Octroi and Markets 31.26 lakhs; Public Works 332.95 lakhs; Health 170.96 lakhs; Education 41,10 lakhs; Horticulture 9.75 lakhs; Water Supply 78.15 lakhs; Lighting 27.94 lakhs; Pension and other Retirement benefits 7.12 lakhs; Loans 39.20 lakhs.

The Corporation Council on February 22 approved of the Rs. 3.58 crore surplus Budget, with an anticipated revenue of Rs. 11.33 crores in 1972-73. It also decided to enhance the building licence fees and to dispose of some of the Corporation quarters to augment its resources. It decided to invite designs for subways at important road junctions.

Opposition leader T. R. Shamanna said that much remained to be done in the matter of health and sanitation, maintenance of roads and supply of drinking

water.

How could it be called a surplus budget, he asked, when the revenue collections consisted of grants, loans and deposits.

When the achievements in the fields of public works, health and sanitation, light and water supply were taken into consideration, and compared with the enormous amounts expended on them and on the administration, he had to say that their "performance was deplorable."

Consideration shown towards sweepers and others, Mr. Shamanna said, had resulted in the mounting of dirt and debris on all allegations against corrupt officials. roads. He demanded an enquiry into the

The House resolved to constitute a screening committee to examine the entire administrative machinery of the Corporation and find out ways and means to stop efficiency, specially in respect of sweepers, the wastage and pilferage and to improve gangmen and malis. The committee would consist of the divisional councillors and the divisional officers.

The Corporation made out a strong case for raising the compensation amount paid to it due to the loss of revenue in respect of the Motor Vehicles Tax. The compensation was fixed in 1958.

It urged the Union Government to enhance the grants paid to it for the maintenance of military road and for street lighting. It also decided to claim road-maintenance-grant from the HAL, the ITI and other public sector undertakings, whose innumerable vehicles used the City roads. Corporators exchange blows

The Municipal Corporators exchanged blows during a period of pandemonium and chaos at the monthly general meeting of the Hubli-Dharwar Corporation on February 19.

Scenes of confusion unprecedented in the annals of the decade-old Corporation prevailed for about half-an-hour while chairs were hurled about, glass was broken and the Corporators engaged in scuffle and mutual abuse.

Corporation Commissioner P. P. Prabhu called in the police when the situation went out of control and there was a clash between Corporators of different groups. The police restored peace.

Trouble started when independent Cor porator A. J. Mudhol tried to oppose a point of order being moved by Mr. Y. L. Sangolli (Jan Sangh) regarding the alleged acts of indiscipline of Mr. Mudhol at the Corporation meetings of January 18 and 20.

Even before Mr. Sangolli could complete his point of order, Mr. Mudhol rose and asked, "You are an elder. Don't you feel ashamed to bring this subject ?"

When Jan Sangh members objected to the remark, there were shouts and counter shouts in which the Congress (R) members also joined. Some Corporators were seen rushing towards Mr. Mudhol, followed by exchange of blow.

Deputy Mayor Hiadasageri who was in the chair adjourned the meeting for three days.

PONDICHERRY

Auroville

"Matrimandir", the sanctuary of truth, which will form the centre of the international city of Auroville, being developed on a 20,000 acre layout on the outskirts of Pondicherry, is expected to be completed in the next two years.

Mr. Gilbert Gauche, in charge of information, and Mr. S. Ramanathan, in charge of construction, told newsmen in Madras on February 12 that the "Matrimandir" which would occupy a 60-acre site with its surrounding gardens, was expected to cost Rs. 1 crore.

Asked when the entire town would be completed, they said it depends on the participation of people from the world over, who believed in and saw eye to eye with Sri Aurobindo's ideals. Auroville would cost at least Rs. 500 crores to build, he said.

The "Matrimandir", which they described as the soul of Auroville, would be built in concrete. Globular in shape it would be 30 metres high and 38 metres wide. The interior of the two-chambered structure would be partially done in marble.

PUNJAB

Stray Dogs Menace

Dr. Sohan Singh, Director of Health Services, Punjab, said on February 3 that

The Congress (I) Councillors of the Municipal Council belong to Mr. Gokul Parshad Purohit Group. Mr. Purohit is the sitting Congress (I) MLA from the Bikaner City constituency but this time he has been denied the Congress (I) ticket. He is contesting the election against Mr. Gopal Joshi as an Independent. Mr. Purohit has declared that he has resigned from the Congress (I).

Scavengers To Get More

The Jaipur Municipal council has agreed to pay Rs. 10 as interim relief to its emp loyees who work as scavengers.

Following the agreement, the threatened strike from February 19, was called off.

TAMIL NADU

Madras City Conservancy

The question of constituting a special magistrate's court to try cases relating to municipal offences in Madras City would be considered by the Tamil Nadu Government, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, Chief Minister said, on February 10. He was inaugurating the Mechanical, Engineering and Conser

vancy Department under the new set up following the recent amendment to the City Municipal Act.

The Chief Minister said the Government was aware of the Corporation's financial difficulties and, therefore, was giving assistance for improving water supply and the lighting system. With reference to the request for provision of a special police force for enforcing civic rules, he said, the matter would have to be looked into by the Government.

Mr. V. Muniswami, Leader of the D. M. K. Municipal Party requested the State Government to provide funds for complete mechanisation of the conservancy service and to create a civic cell in the Police department on the lines of the traffic Police. Mr. K. Kuppuswami, Leader of the Congress Municipal party, said there was now only one mechancial sweeper and it was not enough to meet the growing needs of the City.

Madras Corporation Resolution

The City Council on Madras on February 22 adopted a resolution requesting the Tamil Nadu Government to impress on the Centre not to construct any building on the Island Ground in the interest of public health. It regretted that the Defence Ministry should put up structures on the sprawling ground which served as the "lung of the City" at a time when the Government had set up a Committee to study ways and means of preventing air pollution. BO

The resolution, moved by Mr. V. Munuswami, leader of the D. M. K. Municipal party, was passed in the midst of criticism by members belonging to Congress (O) and (R) that the D. M. K. was trying to give a political colour to the issue. They said the fact that the move had come so soon after the break-up of ties between Congress (R) and the D. M. K. made them suspect the motive behind it.

Moving the resolution, Mr. Munuswami said putting up of buildings on the Island Ground would obstruct free flow of fresh

air from the sea. It would also add to traffic congestion on Mount Road. The citizens of Madras would be grateful to the Central Government if efforts were taken to provide a play.ground and a park, which would add to the beauty of the City.

Mr. C. R. Narasimban (Swat.) said that be fully agreed with the principle embodied in the resolution but he was afraid the timing of it gave rise to doubts about the motive behind it.

Mr. K. Kuppuswami, leader of the Congress (0) Municipal Party, asked why the D. M. K. which had come out with a resolution now, had not shown as much anxiety in the matter during the past one year when its relations with the Congress (R) had been most cordial, so that it could have effectively persuaded the Centre to drop the proposal.

Mr. S. G. Vinayagamurthi (Cong-O) said the issue should be fought at the administrative level and not exploited for political purposes.

Mr. J. V. Satchithananda Rao, Com missioner explained the steps taken by the Corporation in the matter. He said it had been taken up with the local military authorities both from the public health and legal points of view. The objection had been pressed repeatedly at various stages.

Mr. Munuswami, replying, denied that the resolution was politically motivated. If the D. M. K. had not come up with the motion before it was because it thought the Centre had dropped the idea when the building materials collected at the site were removed, following the Tamil Nadu Government's objection. Only a week back, it was known that the project had been

revived and hence the motion.

The resolution was put to vote by the Mayor, Mrs. Kamatchi Jayaraman, when the members of the Congress (O) and (R) abstained from voting for or against and it was declared carried.

Corporation's Education Budget

The Madras Corporation's education budget for 1972-73 envisages an expenditure