Page 273 - Bahrain Gov annual reports(V)_Neat

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In the abattoir 13,000 goats and sheep, 2,849 cattle and 13 camels were inspected and
slaughtered.
Sixty destitute persons were buried at Municipal expense.
The Sludge remover was used 215 times for cleaning out cesspits. This vehicle was
presented to the Municipality some years ago by the Government. The Municipality also
cleaned 35 drains and cesspits at the expense of the householders.
After the heavy rains the Municipality carried out extensive work in removing water from
flooded area.
Building licenses were granted for 103 new stone houses, 157 stone shops, 35 garages and
35 baratis. The decrease in the number of new barastis which are being built is very noticeable.
Municipal Council. At the beginning of 1955 election rolls were prepared with the
intention of holding the usual Municipal elections. The elections, however, were not carried
out as they were boycotted for political reasons. The members on the council continued in
offlee with an average attendance of 8—10 members at the council meetings. The council met
19 times and the sub-committee had 22 meetings and carried our 78 inspections. Forty persons
were sued in court for failing to pay Municipal taxes and other contraventions of Municipal
rules, 673 persons were warned about leaking drains, etc., and over 2,000 permits for repairs
and re-building of houses were issued.
On the whole Municipal activity throughout the year was confined to routine work; this
was to a great extent due to the fact that the members of the Council regarded themselves as a
somewhat caretaker body pending the election of a new Council which was much overdue.

MUHARRAQ MUNICIPALITY
(Report by Mr. Musa’ad Zayani, Secretary to the Muharraq and Hedd Municipal Councils).
Finance. The total revenue for the year was Rs. 2,93,491 and the expenditure was
Rs. 3,55,652.
In the last year’s Budget it was estimated that there would be a deficit of Rs. 32,000. The
year 1955 ended with a deficit of Rs. 62,160. This was partly due to the income of Rs. 30,000
from bridge tolls from Shaikh Hamad Bridge not being paid during the year. When the
Municipality increased the salaries of its staft', as was done in other government departments,
it requested financial help from the Government towards the additional expenditure. The
Government made a grant to the Municipality of Rs. 10,000.

House Taxes. Collections from this source were Rs. 55,595 as against last year’s collections
of Rs. 49,031. During the year the sum of Rs. 1,317 was written off, most of the debts were
owed by foreigners who had left the country and by persons who were unable to pay.
Building permits for 1805 stone houses were issued, some for the construction of new
houses, others for repairs, and 248 permits for repairs to “barastis” were granted.

Shop Taxes. Shop taxes produced Rs. 33,556 and vegetable market fees amounted to
Rs. 3,666 as against last year’s Rs. 21,135 and Rs. 5,249.
Road Widening. During the year the Baladiyya spent Rs. 52,319/3 on widening roads and
streets, about 25 buildings were cut in various parts of the town and market for which the
owners were compensated.
The budgeted figure for this item was Rs. 40,000/- but the Municipality was compelled
to exceed the budget as some of the owners of the 25 houses referred to above asked for repairs
while it was most vital that the road should be widened at that place, so necessary steps were
taken and agreement was reached for reasonable compensations.
Most of Muharraq Roads still require further widening and we look to the Government
for some regular aid towards this item.