District Administration : Origin and development of the office of the District Magistrate and Collector; Changing Role Collector; Impact of the separation of Judiciary on District Administration

<2/”>a >District has been the basic unit of administration in India since ancient times. In India, we have a democratic welfare state which involves wide scope of activities for the development of the people and the nation as a whole. District Administration, is that part of Public Administration which functions in the territorial limits of the district.

District has been the basic unit of administration in India since ancient times. In India, we have a democratic welfare state which involves wide scope of activities for the development of the people and the nation as a whole. District administration, is that part of public administration which functions in the territorial limits of the district.

There exists an organic link between the collector and the State Government as well as the collector and the local administration. There three are like gears that enable proper administration. They have to work in coordination.


What should be the governing principle of this state-collector-local relationship?
• Principles of subsidiarity and decentralisation should govern their relationship

Structure of district administration

Evolution of collector post independence Or Changing role of district collector


• Agents of change, of Good Governance and Development Administration.
• The collectors have a first hand experience in dealing with the hopes and aspirations, the lives and livelihoods of the people. The state and central governments benefit immensely from this experience
• After 73rd and 74th amendments
o Role of the collector has been transformed into that of a coordinator, facilitator and a person who is responsible for inter-sectoral coordination of various activities that characterise the work of our grassroot administration
Significance of district admin (significance of collector)
• As the role of the government gets redefined and its becoming more and more citizen centric, the cutting edge of a government’s function is at the district and lower levels
• India lives in its districts. District is the basic unit of administration.
• Provision of Education and Health facilities, Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE, improving Equity
• DC has a role in ensuring good governance at the grassroots, in promoting innovation, in improving service delivery, in enhancing public private partnerships and in ensuring outlays become outcomes

Should the office of the district collector be retained in its present form?
• Refer report on local governance
• Against the office
o View that with the Empowerment of the PRIs there is a need to devise an Environment in which the institution of DC gradually loses importance and ultimately recedes into a district land revenue functionary, responsible to the local bodies
o This is because the belief that strong traditions linked with this institution and its recognition in the public minds as a prime mover of governance at the district level may impede the Growth of any other authority at that level
• Counter view
o Office of the DC has risen to this level of importance and utility through many national and local crises and it should not be weakened
• Balanced view
o Though PRIs have come up they do not totally remove the Collector’s responsibility in matters of local development.
o The declining importance of land revenue has not lessened the importance of the Collector in the management of land records, the Maintenance of Law and Order and general administration and as an effective grievance redressal authority
o Collector will continue to be responsible for a multiplicity of tasks at the district level such as improving human capabilities, creating physical infrastructure, improving economic opportunities for marginalised sections of Society and facing challenges posed by disasters
o He has new role in the role of a coordinator, facilitator and a person who is responsible for inter-sectoral coordination of various activities that characterise the work of our grassroots administration
o Provide overall Leadership in the district in the task of nation building
o Representative district government should be empowered while fully utilizing the institutional strengths of the District Collector,

The office of the District Magistrate and Collector (DM&C) originated in the Mughal Empire. The Mughals appointed a district-level official called the faujdar to collect taxes and maintain law and order. The faujdar was also responsible for judicial functions. After the British East India Company took control of India, the office of the faujdar was replaced by the office of the DM&C. The DM&C was responsible for both revenue collection and law and order.

The role of the Collector has changed over time. In the early days of British rule, the Collector was responsible for both revenue collection and law and order. However, in the late 19th century, the British began to separate the revenue and judicial functions of the Collector. This led to the creation of a new office called the District Magistrate. The District Magistrate was responsible for law and order, while the Collector was responsible for revenue collection.

The separation of the judiciary from the district administration had a significant impact on the functioning of the district administration. The District Magistrate was no longer responsible for judicial functions. This led to a decline in the power and authority of the District Magistrate. The separation of the judiciary also led to the creation of a new office called the District Judge. The District Judge was responsible for the administration of Justice in the district.

The DM&C is a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer who is responsible for the administration of a district. The DM&C is the head of the district administration and is responsible for law and order, revenue collection, and development work in the district. The DM&C is also the chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority and the District Planning Committee.

The DM&C is assisted by a number of officers, including the District Superintendent of Police (SSP), the District Revenue Officer (DRO), and the District Development Officer (DDO). The SSP is responsible for law and order in the district. The DRO is responsible for revenue collection in the district. The DDO is responsible for development work in the district.

The DM&C is a powerful and influential position in the Indian administrative system. The DM&C is responsible for the day-to-day running of a district and has a significant impact on the lives of the people in the district.

The role of the DM&C has changed over time. In the early days of British rule, the DM&C was responsible for both revenue collection and law and order. However, in the late 19th century, the British began to separate the revenue and judicial functions of the DM&C. This led to the creation of a new office called the District Magistrate. The District Magistrate was responsible for law and order, while the Collector was responsible for revenue collection.

The separation of the judiciary from the district administration had a significant impact on the functioning of the district administration. The District Magistrate was no longer responsible for judicial functions. This led to a decline in the power and authority of the District Magistrate. The separation of the judiciary also led to the creation of a new office called the District Judge. The District Judge was responsible for the administration of justice in the district.

In recent years, the role of the DM&C has been further redefined. The DM&C is now seen as a facilitator of development and is responsible for coordinating the work of various government departments in the district. The DM&C is also responsible for ensuring that the government’s policies and programs are implemented effectively in the district.

The DM&C is a challenging and demanding position. The DM&C is responsible for the lives and well-being of millions of people. The DM&C must be able to make quick decisions and take action in difficult situations. The DM&C must also be able to work with a variety of people, including government officials, politicians, and the general public.

The DM&C is a prestigious position and is considered to be one of the most important jobs in the Indian administrative system. The DM&C is a role model for many young people in India and is seen as a symbol of authority and power.

Origin and development of the office of the District Magistrate and Collector

The office of the District Magistrate and Collector (DM&C) is a colonial legacy that dates back to the Mughal period. The DM&C was originally responsible for both revenue collection and law and order in the district. However, with the passage of time, the role of the DM&C has evolved. Today, the DM&C is primarily responsible for law and order, while revenue collection is handled by a separate department.

The DM&C is appointed by the state government and is the chief executive officer of the district. The DM&C is assisted by a number of officers, including the District Superintendent of Police (DSP), the District Revenue Officer (DRO), and the District Magistrate (DM).

The DM&C is responsible for a wide range of functions, including:

  • Maintaining law and order in the district
  • Collecting revenue
  • Implementing government schemes and programs
  • Supervising the work of the district administration
  • Providing relief and rehabilitation in the event of natural disasters

The DM&C is a powerful position and the DM&C has a significant impact on the lives of the people in the district.

Changing Role Collector

The role of the collector has changed over time. In the past, the collector was responsible for both revenue collection and law and order. However, with the passage of time, the role of the collector has become more focused on revenue collection. This is due to the fact that the state government has taken over the responsibility of law and order.

The collector is now responsible for a wide range of functions, including:

  • Collecting revenue
  • Implementing government schemes and programs
  • Supervising the work of the district administration
  • Providing relief and rehabilitation in the event of natural disasters

The collector is a powerful position and the collector has a significant impact on the lives of the people in the district.

Impact of the separation of Judiciary on District Administration

The separation of judiciary from the executive has had a significant impact on district administration. The DM&C is no longer responsible for the administration of justice. This has led to a decline in the power and influence of the DM&C.

The separation of judiciary has also led to a fragmentation of authority in the district. The DM&C is now responsible for a wide range of functions, but does not have the authority to enforce its decisions. This has led to a decline in the efficiency of the district administration.

The separation of judiciary has also led to a decline in the accountability of the district administration. The DM&C is no longer directly accountable to the people of the district. This has led to a decline in the quality of governance in the district.

  1. The office of the District Magistrate and Collector was created in the year:
    (a) 1772
    (b) 1793
    (c) 1813
    (d) 1857

  2. The District Magistrate and Collector is responsible for the following, except:
    (a) Law and order
    (b) Revenue collection
    (c) Development
    (d) Judiciary

  3. The role of the District Magistrate and Collector has changed over time. The most significant change was the:
    (a) Introduction of the Indian Penal Code in 1860
    (b) Separation of Judiciary from the Executive in 1861
    (c) Introduction of the Panchayati Raj system in 1992
    (d) Introduction of the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution in 1992

  4. The separation of Judiciary from the Executive has had the following impact on District Administration:
    (a) The District Magistrate and Collector has lost some of his/her powers
    (b) The District Magistrate and Collector has become more accountable to the people
    (c) The District Magistrate and Collector has become more focused on development
    (d) All of the above

  5. The District Magistrate and Collector is a key figure in the administration of a district. He/She is responsible for a wide range of functions, including law and order, revenue collection, development, and judiciary. The role of the District Magistrate and Collector has changed over time, but he/she remains a powerful and important figure in the Indian administrative system.