Belagavi City Corporation to celebrate 175th anniversary

Belagavi: The Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) announced plans to mark its 175th year of formation with grand celebrations next year. At a recent council meeting, members resolved to seek financial support from both the state and central govts for the event.Mayor Mangesh Pawardirected civic officials to submit proposals requesting Rs 250 crore each from the Karnataka and Union govts to fund the commemorative activities. Belagavi (South) MLA Abhay Patil voiced his full support for the initiative, stating, "I will extend all possible cooperation to ensure that this historic occasion is celebrated grandly." Originally known as the Belgaum Municipal Committee, BCC was established on Dec 1, 1851, well before the formation of the Bombay Municipal Corporation in 1872.It holds the distinction of being the first municipal body set up in the then Bombay Karnataka region. At its inception, it governed a population of 23,115 with an annual income of Rs 35,460.