CHAPTER XIV.
LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT.
The Local Boards—The Unions—Finances of the Boards. The Two Municipalities—Cocanada municipality—Rajahmundry municipality.
Outside the two municipalities of Cocanada and Rajahmundry referred to below, and excluding Bhadráchalam taluk in the Agency, local affairs (roads, hospitals, schools and sanitation) are in the hands of the District Board and four taluk boards subordinate to it. The areas in charge of these latter have been changed from time to time, and the most recent alteration was effected in April 1905. The four boards are now those of Cocanada, in charge of the Cocanada taluk and the Pithápuram and Tuni divisions; Peddápuram, with jurisdiction over the taluks of Peddápuram and Rámachandrapuram; Rajahmundry, comprising the Rajahmundry, Amalápuram and Nagaram taluks; and Pólavaram, which administers matters in the Agency divisions of Pólavaram, Chódavaram and Yellavaram.
Prior to 1902 none of the Agency tracts were included within the operation of the Local Boards Act, and the roads, educational and medical institutions, and sanitation within them were in charge of the Revenue authorities, aided by advice from the Public Works and other expert departments. In 1902 the whole of the Agency as it then existed was brought under the Act; but in 19O5 [1] Bhadráchalam was withdrawn again from its operation and is to be managed henceforth on the same system as was in force before 1902. The taluk is remote, thinly-populated and covered with jungle; and the income derivable within it from the ordinary sources of taxation provided for by the Local Boards Act is quite insufficient to meet the expenditure which is necessary. Heavy contributions towards its local needs have consequently always been made from Provincial funds. The same state of things exists in the three Agency divisions which make up the charge of the present Pólavaram taluk board, and a similar contribution to its exchequer has been necessary to save it from insolvency.
- ↑ See G.O. No. 227 L., dated 27th February 1905.
