Przyczynek do działalności Wojewódzkiej Rady Narodowej w Białymstoku w latach 1944-1950

Abstract

The provincial people's council in Białystok ("Wojewódzka Rada Narodowa") was organized by the plenipotentiary of PKWN. The first meeting of the council took place on 28 August 1944. The council consisted of 23 members, all representing political parties active in the province. The number of members was to increase in the future, incorporating representatives of newly formed political parties and other organizations that were allowed to delegate their representatives to the provincial council. The main responsibilities of the council were: planning of the public activities, establishing the budget, planning the tribute system, control over the activities of executive organs of the municipal government and institutions or people commissioned to perform certain tasks, as well as appointing the executive organs of the province. The executive organ of the provincial people's council was the provincial department, chaired by the voivode. The main responsibilities of the department were: the preparation of matters to be discussed by the council, the execution of their resolutions, and control over lower executive organs of the territorial government. The provincial people's council in Białystok paid a lot of attention to the economic development and the social situation of the province as well as issues connected with the local villages. The latter were often discussed during the council's meetings. The most important issues were the tribute system and the mutual aid among the country people. The council's activities focused also on the development of industry in the province as well as new economic investments. Thanks to the efforts of the council, the conditions of Health Care were improved; new hospitals and health centers were built, and the existing ones were modernized. The territorial government ceased to exist in 20 March 1950, when Seym issued the bill that introduced a uniform system of territorial government.