Dr.R.Nagaswamy #6B8E23 In modern times, specially in severe drought conditions enormous amounts are being spent to deepen dried up and silted tanks in villages for tapping the springs and better water storage. But once the conditions improve, these village tanks are forgotten. They become easily the dumping grounds of village refuses, often covered with moss and weeds and are invariably the breeding grounds of mosquitoes and insects posing great health hazzards. But in ancient times, great care and attention were bestowed on annual maintenance of the village tanks. The responsibility for such a maintenance was in the hands of the village assemblies, which enjoyed greater freedom under the then prevelant democratic system of village Government.