The representation was made during the recent two-day special meeting of mayors from all over the country convened by Bhopal Mayor Uma Shanker Gupta in New Delhi. The mayors also submitted a memorandum demanding implementation of the 74th amendment, introduction of the mayor-in-council system and a model Act for all municipal corporations.

Pointing out that the uncertainty over the ULC Act had brought all construction activity to a standstill in Vadodara, Vyas told Jethmalani that casual labourers had lost their jobs because of this. If the Act was finally scrapped, it would be easier to construct houses for the economically weaker sections, she added.

Vyas told Express Newsline that a majority of the mayors attending the conference thought that octroi should not be abolished without alternative sources of revenue being opened up first. At the Conference, she said, some mayors had said that in view of the problems that had cropped up after abolishing octroi, some states were actually planning to re-introduce it.

She would soon write to the Minister on the ULC and octroi issues, Vyas said, adding that a copy containing the details of the Vadodara scenario would also be sent to Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel.

Observing that some of the municipal corporations had not even implemented the recommendations of the 74th amendment, the mayors said in the memorandum demanded that civic bodies be given powers to appoint staff and create of posts.

Claiming that as per ``the existing corporation act, councillors do not have powers to ensure proper execution of decisions taken by them'', the Mayors demanded introduction of the mayor-in-council system. A few of them also wanted mayoral terms to be extended to at least five years.

The participants regretted that in several states the State Finance Commissions have not submitted their reports despite being formed a few years ago. They further urged that authorities concerned be asked to pay taxes on Union and State Government properties, including railway and port properties. Under Article 285 (1) of the Constitution of India, Central government property was exempt from taxes levied by State Government, except in cases where parliament has passed a law. A demand for model act for all municipal corporations was also put up.