July 8, 2012 is the red letter day in the history of Mysore. It was exactly on this day 150 years ago, nagara sabhe (town municipality) which is now known as Mysore City Corporation (MCC) came into existence.
The population of the city, that included the palace and its immediate surrounding areas was just 30,000, when the idea of a local body was mooted. The Government of India passed an order in 1861 directing all states and provinces to form nagara sabhe.
The following year saw the formation of Nagara Sabhe — on July 8, 1862 (A round shaped wooden board — painted ‘Mysore City Corporation 1862’ — still adorns the wall behind the Mayor’s podium in Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar hall in MCC).
Till 1892, the district magistrate (now deputy commissioner) was heading the body as commissioner. It was only after 30 years of its existence in 1892, members were elected. Among 21 members, nine were government nominees. In 1870, it became an autonomous body with the government delegating several responsibilities.
Strange but true, the expenditure of police department too was being borne by the nagara sabhe, as the government had entrusted the task of collecting revenue from every house. In 1890, the government took over the responsibility of police, relieving the civic body. Now, the police come under the home department.
The Mysore City Corporation (then nagara sabhe) building was constructed during the reign of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. The foundation was laid in 1921. The architecture resembles the Palace, especially with its domes on the top.
R J Narasimha Iyengar, who was the third mayor of Mysore, told Deccan Herald, the town municipality became city municipality in the 1930s. The secretary to the Maharaja had the additional charge of administrator. The city municipality became Mysore City Corporation in 1979, after the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act was passed in 1976.
The first mayoral polls was held in 1983 and P Vishwanath was elected mayor. There were 57 wards, which were increased to 65 in 1996. It remains unchanged till date.
Mayor M C Rajeswhari said to make the occasion a memorable event, it has been decided to hold various activities. Though the tentative date is yet to be fixed, it could be on July 30. The venue is Amba Vilas Palace and the dignitaries will be Governor and Chief Minister among others. All the former mayors will be felicitated on the occasion.
A total of nine committees have been formed to make the celebration a flawless event.