Local Government in Ancient India c13.30

c13.30

(1) *Annual Committee* (*saṁvatsara-vāriyam*): this seems to have been the most important, influential, and dignified of all the committees. This is evident from the fact that the election of this committee precedes that of all other committees, and also from the characterization of its personnel. Only 'those who had (previously) been on the "garden committee" and on the "tank committee", those who are advanced in learning, and those who are advanced in age shall be chosen for the "annual committee".' Thus the annual committee was constituted by the cream of the community, men of ripe old age, mature wisdom, experience in administration, and possessing culture and learning. The number of the committee was fixed at twelve. There are other inscriptions which also give the same number, e. g. no. 263 of 1912. The committee is also called the committee in charge of the 'annual village work' (*saṁvatsara-grāma-kāryam*) in nos. 467, 472 and 475 of 1912, a designation which also points to its superior status among the other committees.