Page 230 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (IV)_Neat

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services without having to pay for them. Another factor which affects the revenue of Muharraq is
the existence of much property belonging to the Ruling Family, who pay no taxes. During the year
32 persons were prosecuted in court for non-payment of taxes.
The total expenditure in 1369 was Rs. 1,27,400 which was slightly less than the budget
estimate. At theendof the year the municipality had a balance of Rs. 78,419 but it owed Rs. 1,17,500
of which Rs. i,06,800 was the balance of a loan, to the Government.
The municipality confined its main activities to routine work such as town cleaning and the
upkeep of roads and wells and the supervision of markets. No road widening schemes were carried
out as the cost of them was more than the municipality could afford. Street lighting was increased
and a road on the south-east edge of the town was completed. It is proposed that a public garden
should be made in this area of land which has been raised and filled in with town rubbish which makes
an excellent foundation for a garden.
In the month of Kabia-Al-Awal municipal elections were held. The town was divided into four
wards each represented by four members, two members being elected by vote and two nominated by
the Government. The ballot boxes were placed in the municipal building, under the supervision of
a committee and the public recorded their votes on seven evenings. About 7,000 votes were recorded
which represents a high proportion of the electorate.
The majority of the new council consists of younger men than those who have previously held
office, nine members have never before sat on the council, five of the previous members were re-elected
and two of the new members sat on previous councils. There was a good deal of competition for
election and voters were encouraged by candidates to give them support.
The new budget for 1370 was made by the Finance Committee, which includes several of the
new council members who have no previous experience of municipal affairs. It anticipates a deficit
of Rs. 60,000, which presumably will be met by the sale of land on the north of the town where a town
extension area is planned. Muharraq is surrounded on three sides by sea and the only direction in
which it can expand is to the north. Included in the contemplated work is street widening for which
Rs. 60,000 has been allocated. It is proposed that most of this sum should be spent on widening the
principal street of Muharraq which runs from the pier to the Khalifah quarter.
Arrangements were made at the end of the year 1369 for Mr. Ibrahim Khalfan, Secretary of
the Muharraq Municipality, to visit England under the auspices of the British Council for training in
municipal administration.

HEDD MUNICIPALITY
Statement of Revenue and Expenditure, 1369.
Revenue. Expenditure.
Rs. a. p. Rs. a. p.
Government Grant .. 6,000 0 o Staff Salaries 4,680 4 6
House Tax 2,740 1 o Town Cleaning 6,403 12 o
Shop Tax 939 4 3 Transport 82 4 o
Vegetable Market Tax 803 7 3 Miscellaneous 114 14 o
Miscellaneous 359 0 0 Paupers Burials 247 o o
Construction Fees .. 142 4 o Office Expenses 489 8 o
Deficit 1,033 10 0
Total Rs. 12,017 10 6 Total Rs. 12,017 10 6
\
The municipality carried out its duties as far as its means permitted. The revenue during the
year was approximately Rs. 11,000 and expenditure exceeded the revenue by Rs. 1,000. Hedd is