DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.611#0046
30 . CHAPTER II.
The Benares Municipality is a vigorous body of
workers, and the condition of the City does great credit
to their manifold activities. The Municipal Board con-
sists of 29 members. Of these 15 are Hindus, 10 Ma-
hommedans, and four others. The Collector is Chairman
of the Board ex officio.
The supply of water, sanitation, the upkeep of City
roads, part of the educational work, also the collection
of income are some of their chief responsibilities. The
chief sources of income are Octroi, Water Rate, House
and other Taxes, and the rents of Municipal property.
The Income last year was Rs. 565,000, and the Expen-
diture Rs. 600,000. In the expenditure were special items
which are not expected to be recurrent. The deficiency
was met by a balance in hand from the previous year.
A Visitors' Tax is now imposed, which, it is anticipated,
may yield an income of some Rs. 30,000. The finan-
cial position of the Municipality is, therefore, regarded
as quite sound.
This sketch of the Benares of to-day is but fragmen-
tary, and many items of real importance are left un-
touched, but it is hoped that it is tolerably accurate
as far as it goes, and gives a bird's-eye view of the
general condition of this interesting city. Benares is
awake, and is moving with the times, if not quite as
fast as some places. Possibly many of its " ancients "
sigh over the times that are no more, and regard its
religious glory as waning. Progress is being made, and
it is believed that this is not only material but moral.
Larger conceptions of life are being aroused and foster-
ed, and the desire cherished of improving the environ-
ment and conditions of the life of the people as a whole.
The Benares Municipality is a vigorous body of
workers, and the condition of the City does great credit
to their manifold activities. The Municipal Board con-
sists of 29 members. Of these 15 are Hindus, 10 Ma-
hommedans, and four others. The Collector is Chairman
of the Board ex officio.
The supply of water, sanitation, the upkeep of City
roads, part of the educational work, also the collection
of income are some of their chief responsibilities. The
chief sources of income are Octroi, Water Rate, House
and other Taxes, and the rents of Municipal property.
The Income last year was Rs. 565,000, and the Expen-
diture Rs. 600,000. In the expenditure were special items
which are not expected to be recurrent. The deficiency
was met by a balance in hand from the previous year.
A Visitors' Tax is now imposed, which, it is anticipated,
may yield an income of some Rs. 30,000. The finan-
cial position of the Municipality is, therefore, regarded
as quite sound.
This sketch of the Benares of to-day is but fragmen-
tary, and many items of real importance are left un-
touched, but it is hoped that it is tolerably accurate
as far as it goes, and gives a bird's-eye view of the
general condition of this interesting city. Benares is
awake, and is moving with the times, if not quite as
fast as some places. Possibly many of its " ancients "
sigh over the times that are no more, and regard its
religious glory as waning. Progress is being made, and
it is believed that this is not only material but moral.
Larger conceptions of life are being aroused and foster-
ed, and the desire cherished of improving the environ-
ment and conditions of the life of the people as a whole.