286 ©’ CHAPTER XV. 
be discharged in the industrial cities unless a vigorous attempt is made 
to improve housing. We are not unmindful of the difficulties in the way 
of municipalities. Their resources are limited and the raising of fresh 
taxation, particularly for the housing of the working classes, is not a 
simple task in present conditions. The inaction of most municipal 
councils reflects, we fear, only too accurately the apathy of the bulk of 
the electors, and this apathy would, in many cases, become active opposi- 
tion if taxation were enhanced to finance housing schemes. Further, 
municipalities have been ill-equipped on the executive side for attacking 
such large and complex problems as those involved in the construction 
of houses on a large scale; where they have constructed any houses, 
their efforts have been concentrated on their own employees. Again, 
it has to be remembered that the conception that the provision of 
good housing is a duty of the community is a comparatively new 
one in any country, and it would be unreasonable to lay stress on 
the failure to accept it in past years in India. We have, indeed, 
little desire to dwell on the past and would rather concentrate on 
what is possible in the future. But we must observe that, quite apart 
from the failure to formulate and execute a constructive housing policy, 
municipalities have generally failed to use their existing machinery 
and powers to control the lay-out and erection of new buildings. To-day 
the erection of houses, which are no better than the existing ones and which 
in many cases are adding to the congestion, is being generally permitted. 
Responsibility of Governments. 
Whilst the primary responsibility, as we have shown, rests 
with municipal authorities, they are entitled to look for expert advice 
and stimulus from Government. Tt is true that, with the introduction 
of the reforms, Government has been deprived of effective powers for 
guiding the progress of local self-government, and the Indian Statutory 
Commission has already called attention to the “ grave error ” that was 
committed in failing to realise “the need for control by the provincial 
Governments over local self-government authorities”. But we feel 
compelled to express the opinion that many existing difficulties could have 
been avoided if the development of industrial areas had been given more 
consideration at an earlier stage and if, from the beginning, it had been 
made clear that disorderly growth would rot be tolerated. 
Responsibility of Employers. 
Although the main responsibility for housing policy lies with 
Government and the local bodies, industrial development has without 
doubt enhanced the difficulties of the housing situation in numerous 
areas. Many employers have realised the necessity for action, and in 
fact have carried out the great majority of the housing schemes so far 
put into operation. Some of the admirable schemes described show 
what can be done where the desire to effect improvement exists. 
These have effected a great improvement in the standards of health and 
well-being of their fortunate occupants, whilst employers must also have 
realised the economic advantages obtained from more contented labour