RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE TECHNOLOGIES – A.P.

UNIT-V
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN INDIA

Introduction

Local Governments or Local Self Government is regarded as the heart of Indian Democracy.
The success of Indian Democracy at grass root level largely depends upon the existence and
efficient operation system of local government. Local government is the government closest to
the common people that involves in day-to-day life and attempt to resolve problems of ordinary
citizens. It is always a source for providing political education and training to the people
without which they cannot become well-functioning and active participates in the democratic
system.
The Makers of our constitution were fully aware of the necessity of the local government for
ensuring stability, strength, and health of the Indian Liberal Democratic Political system. In
fact, each part of India, weather urban or rural is being locally administered for the satisfaction
of local needs by a local government.

Definitions:
Local Government is defined in many ways by different political scientists. Some of them are
cited below:
According to Sidgewick, “the local government consist of certain subordinate bodies which
have defined powers of making rules and regulations within their prescribed area of
administration”.

According to Prof.Finer. H defined that “the Local Government means authority to determine
and execute measure with in a restricted area inside and smaller than the whole state.”
FEATURES OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The term local government means ‘management of local affairs’ by the local people. It is the
responsibility of the local government to satisfy the local needs and aspirations of nearly 70%
of rural people.
The Local Government has the following features:
(1) It has defined jurisdiction within a definite territory.
(2) The local government institutions are governed by elected representatives of the local
people who are accountable to people.
(3) They are primarily concerned with the promotion of interests of the local people.
(4) They have their own budget and finances.
(5) They are free to manage their affairs in accordance with the rules and regulations.
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STRUCTURE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN INDIA

The hierarchy of different levels of Governments (of India) is shown in the following image:

RURAL LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN INDIA

Historical Background
Rural governments in India after independence were set up on the recommendations of Balwant
Rai Mehta Committee (1957). Earlier the new constitution (1950) made a reference of these
bodies in the Article 40. The new constitution included the subject of local self-government in
the state list. However rural local bodies continued to function in various states in various
forms.
In 1952, the Government of India launched the Community Development Programme and
National Extension Service (1953) for the integrated development of rural local governments.
But the programme failed to achieve the desire results. Consequently, the Government of India
appointed a committee under chairmanship of Balwant Rai Mehta in January 1957. The
committee was asked to find out the reason for the failure of the Community Development
Programme (1952) in India. The committee submitted its report in November 1957.
The committee recommended for the revival and reorganization of democratic decentralization
of village panchayat to ensure the cooperation and participation of the people in the
implementation of rural development programmes.
The Balwant Rai Mehta committee specified the following recommendations.
(1) Establishment of three tier structure of Panchayat Raj System- Gram Panchayat, Panchayat
Samithi and Zilla Parishad.
(2) Provision of adequate financial resources to the rural local governments.
(3) Implementation of rural development programmes exclusively by the Gram Panchayat.
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(4) Genuine transfer of powers and responsibilities to the Panchayat.

The government of India accepted the recommendations of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
in January 1958. This committee report is consider a historic document. It described the master
blue-print and sort of Bible of Panchayat Raj. Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of
India inaugurated the new scheme on October 2, 1959 in Nagur district of Rajasthan. So,
Rajasthan was the first state to implement the new Panchayat Raj System. Andhra Pradesh was
the second state to implement the new scheme.
In course of time rural local governments did not achieve success due to several loopholes like
apathy of the bureaucrats, political manipulations, interference by the provincial leaders, and
delay in the release of financial resources, lack of popular enthusiasm etc. As a result many
committees and study teams were appointed by the union and state governments for making
enquiry into the working of these governments. Of them, the following are the important
committees V.R. Rao Committee (1960), S.D. Mishra Committee (19610, Santhanam
Committee (1965), G. Ramachandran Committee (1966), Dantwala Committee (1978),
Hanumantha Rao Committee (1984), G.V.K Rao Committee (1985) and L.M. Singhvi
Committee (1986).

The last Committee i.e., L.M. Singhvi Committee recommended for the constitutional
recognition of Panchayats for strengthening their identity and integrity. It also suggested for
the recognition of villages and strengthening of Gram Sabhas.
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CONSTITUTION (73rd AMENDMENT) ACT 1992

The R.S. Sarkaria Commission on Centre-State relations prescribed uniform legislation for the
effective working of the Panchayat Raj institutions in India. Accordingly, the union
government headed by the Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi set up a Parliamentary sub-committee
under the chairmanship of P.K. Thaungan in 1988. The sub-committee was asked to suggest
ideal administrative and political machinery for formulating the district plans. It prescribed
Constitutional status to the Panchayat Raj Institutions. It viewed Zilla Parishad as the sole
agency of planning and development in the district.

But its proposals were not implemented due to the change in union government in 1989. Two
years later, the union government headed by the Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao strongly
felt the need for immediate grant of Constitutional status to the Panchayat Raj Institutions. It
introduced a bill to that effect in the Parliament in September 1991. Later, the bill was referred
to a joint select committee which studied the former and submitted its report in July 1992. The
bill was accepted by the Parliament and the same was referred to the state legislatures for their
approval. As majority state legislative assemblies accepted the bill, it become an Act in the
name of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992. The Act came into force from April 24,
1993.
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The Act reinserted Part IX which was deleted by the Constitution (7th Amendment) Act, 1956
and added a new Schedule, namely 11th Schedule. The Act deals with Articles 243 to 243 (O)
of the Indian Constitution.

SALIENT FEATURES
The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 has the following salient features.
(1) The Act defined clearly certain terms like District, Grama Sabha, Panchayat, Village etc.

(2) It constituted a Grama Sabha for every village which acts as the legislative body at the
village level.
(3) It made obligatory for every state to implement three tier system of Panchayat Raj i.e.
Panchayat at the Village, Mandal Parishad and Zilla Parishad at District levels.
(4) It inserted every state legislature to make laws for the composition of Panchayat Raj on
uniform basis. It further specified direct elections to the Panchayat based territorial
constituencies. It provides right to vote to the chairpersons of the Panchayat and other members
whether directly elected or not.
(5) It provide reservation in every Panchayat for Schedule Castes and Scheduled Tribes in
proportion to their population to the total population in the Panchayat area and women not less
than 1/3rd of the total seats (Andhra Pradesh Government enhanced the Women Reservation up
to 50%).
(6) It specified the duration of Panchayat as five years and insisted on holding elections before
the expiration of the term or in case of dissolution within six months.
(7) It prescribed the eligibility and disqualifications of the candidates in local government
elections.
(8) It provided for the creation of a Finance Commission for local bodies.
(9) It provided for auditing the accounts of the Panchayat by the state account and audit officers.

(10) It also provided for State Election Commission for conducting elections to the local bodies.
(11) It stated that union territories shall follow the directives of the President of India in
constituting or abolishing Panchayats.

(12) It mentioned some exceptions to the states having administrative councils in scheduled
areas.
(13) It provided for special Tribunals for solving election disputes.

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RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE TECHNOLOGIES – A.P.

ELEVENTH (11TH) SCHEDULE

It contains the following 29 Fundamental subjects enumerated with the purview of
Panchayats.

(1) Agriculture, including agricultural extension.

(2) Land improvement, implementation of land reforms, land consolidation and soil
conversation.
(3) Minor irrigation, water management and watershed development.
(4) Animal husbandry, dairying and poultry.
(5) Fisheries.
(6) Social forestry and form forestry.

(7) Minor forest produce.

(8) Small scale industries, including food processing industries.

(9) Khadi, village and cottage industries.

(10) Rural housing.
(11) Drinking water
(12) Fuel and fodder.
(13) Roads, culverts, bridges, ferries, waterways and other means of communication.

(14) Rural electrification, including distribution of electricity.

(15) Non-conventional energy sources.

(16) Poverty alleviation programme.

(17) Education, including primary and secondary schools.
(18) Technical training and vocational education.
(19) Adult and non-formal education.

(20) Libraries.
(21) Cultural activities.
(22) Markets and fairs.
(23) Health and sanitation, including hospitals, primary health centres and dispensaries.
(24) Family welfare.

(25) Women and child development.

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(26) Social welfare, including welfare of the handicapped and mentally retarded.
(27) Welfare of the weaker sections, and in particular, of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled
Tribes.

(28) Public distribution system.

(29) Maintenance of community assets.

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TYPES OF RURAL LOCAL GOVERNMENTS / PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTIONS
The rural local governments or Panchayati Raj Institutions are known by several names such
as democratic decentralized institutions, local self-government institutions, three tier
democratic bodies, grass root level democratic agencies etc. The word Panchayati Raj denotes
the name of local self-governments in rural areas in India.
At present Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) in India are constituted on the basis of the
constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992. Normally, all the states in India (excepting those
whose population is less than 20 lakhs) provided three tier system in the rural areas but it differs
from state to state.

The legislative assemblies of the concerned states formulate legislation for maintaining and
regulating these representative bodies. The state executive authorities see that these institutions
carry on their activities on proper lines. They supervise the affairs, programmes and activities
of these bodies with a view to decentralized political power so as to reach the benefits to the
ordinary people.
Let us know in detail about the composition, functions and sources of income of these rural
local governments.

(I) GRAM PANCHAYAT:

Gram panchayat or Village Panchayat is the lowest tier in the Panchayati Raj system. Normally,
there will be a village panchayat for a minimum population of 250. The commissioner of
Panchayati Raj Department makes notification for setting up of village panchayat on the
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suggestions of the District Collector. Gram Panchayats are classified in to two types viz,. i.
notified, ii. Non-notified categories based on annual income.
Composition of Gram Panchayat: Every Gram Panchayat comprises four organs, namely:

(i) Panchayat (ii) Sarpanch (iii) Panchayat Secretary and (iv) Grama Sabha
These may be explained as below:
(i) Gram Panchayat: It is the lowest set-up of the three tier system. The panchayat serves as
the deliberative wing of village. It comprises a Sarpanch, a Vice-Sarpanch and some ward
members. All of them are elected directly by the registered voters of the village for a period of
five years. The membership of Panchayat varies between 5 and 21. The Sarpanch presides over
the meetings of the Panchayat. The secretary maintains the records of the Panchayat. While the
Sarpanch is directly elected by the registered voters of the village, the Secretary is appointed
by the state government. Some officers of the state government attend the meetings of the
Panchayat in the capacity of permanent invitees. Some seats in Panchayat including the
Sarpanch are reserved for SC/ST, weaker sections and women. Panchayats in Gujarat, Tamil
Nadu, and Bihar are called as Nagar Panchayat, Town Panchayat and Karkari Samithi
respectively.
Functions of Grama Panchayat
The village panchayat performs two important functions, namely:
(a) Essential Functions
(b) Discretionary Functions
While essential functions shall be performed without delay and without subject to financial
resources, discretionary functions may or may not be under taken by the village panchayat.
(a) Essential Functions: Essential functions have to be carried out by the Gram Panchayat
without fail. These include the following items.
(i) Construction, repair and maintenance of roads, drainage canals, burial grounds, footpaths,
causeways, culverts, play grounds, public parks and other public places.
(ii) Erection and maintenance of electric polls
(iii) Maintenance of birth and death registers

(iv) Conducting vaccinations for controlling rabbis and other contagious diseases
(v) Provision of drinking water facilities

(vi) Manufacture and sale of manures

(vii) Maintenance of cattle farms and so on.

(b) Discretionary Functions: Gram Panchayat performs these functions subject to the
availability of financial resources. These include the following:
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(i) Construction and Maintenance of primary schools, dispensaries, libraries, reading rooms,
rest houses, and market places etc.
(ii) Establishment and maintenance of maternal and child welfare centers

(iii) Mobilizing voluntary labour for community development works

(iv) Publicizing the modern methods of cultivation

(v) Implementation of land reforms and so on.

Financial Resources of Gram Panchayat
Gram Panchayat receives income from three important sources, namely:
(a) Grant-in-aid released by the union and state governments
(b) Funds released for centrally sponsored schemes and
(c) Grants from union government on the recommendations of Finance Commission
(ii) Sarpanch: The Sarpanch is the political executive head of the Panchayat. He presides over
the meetings of village Panchayat and Gram Sabha. He will have administrative control over
the Panchayat Secretary. He Supervises and renders advice in regard to the implementation of
the various Panchayat resolutions. The Secretary prepares the agenda of Panchayat meetings
on the advice of the Sarpanch. He will have administrative control over the properties,
programmes, and personnel of village Panchayat.
(iii) Panchayat Secretary: Every Panchayat shall have a full time Secretary who is an officer
of the government. He shall draw his salary and allowances from the Panchayat funds as per
government rules. He will be in charge of the office of the Panchayat. He will work under the
direct supervision of the panchayat Sarpanch.
Powers and Functions of the Panchayat Secretary
Panchayat Secretary performs the following functions. They are:
(a) Preparation of budget and annual administration report.
(b) Preparation of monthly/quarterly statements of accounts.
(c) Maintenance of cash book

(d) Keeping all records of the panchayat in safe custody.

(e) Allotment of duties to the staff posted in Gram Panchayat.

(f) Submission of application for grant-in-aid and maintain grant-in-aid register.

(g) Visit the work sites and assess the work-in-progress
(h) Attend to complaints relating to development works.
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(iv) Grama Sabha: There will be a Grama Sabha in every village. It comprises all the adult
citizens who have been entitled to vote. It means at least twice a year usually after Rabi and
Kharif crops are harvested. It discusses and approves the administrative and audit reports. It
identifies the beneficiaries of development schemes. It takes steps for mobilizing voluntary
labour for community welfare programmes. In many states Grama Sabha’s are known with the
same name. However, they are called Panchayats in Bihar and Palisabha in Odisha. The Union
Government declared the year 2009-10 as the year of Grama Sabha on the eve of golden jubilee
celebrations of village Panchayat. It directed the state governments to make arrangements for
convening Grama Sabha on April-14 of every year and second one in the month of October.
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(II) MANDAL PARISHAD OR BLOCK AND PANCHAYAT SAMITI

Mandal Parishad is the intermediate tier in the Panchayat Raj system. It is set up according to
the statutes of state government. In different states, the Panchayat Samiti has been given
different names. Tamil Nadu calls them Panchayat Union Council, in Karnataka as the Taluka
Development Board, in Gujarat as the Taluka Panchayat. However, the most popular name
happens to be the Panchayat Samiti.

Composition of Panchayat Samiti or Mandal Parishad

Every Mandal Parishad comprises four organs, namely:
(i) Mandal Parishad
(ii) Mandal Parishad President (MPP)

(iii) Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO)

(iv) Mandal Mahasabha
(i) Mandal Parishad: Mandal Parishad is the legislative and deliberative wing of the Mandal.
It comprises some elected MPTC members (Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency), co-
opted and ex-officio members. Besides there are some persons like District Collector, Village
Sarpanches, ZPTC members (Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency), ZP chairman and
Agricultural Marketing Committee chairman who attend its meetings as permanent invitees.
Every Mandal Parishad will have a President and a Vice-President. They are elected by the
members of the Mandal Parishad. Some of the offices of Mandal Parishad members and
presidents are reserved or STs, SCs, weaker sections and women. Mandal Parishad will have
tenure of five years. The Chief Executive Head of the Mandal Parishad is Mandal Parishad
Development Officer (MPDO). He is appointed by the state government and works under the
control of the state government only.
Functions of Mandal Parishad
Mandal Parishad performs following functions
(1) It takes steps for implementing various community development programmes.
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(2) It makes arrangements for providing amenities like dispensaries, drinking water,
vaccination and non-choking gas stoves.
(3) It implements several programmes like community education, communications, co-
operation, cottage industries, women welfare, social welfare etc.
(4) It takes steps for raising production in agricultural sector through the provision of superior
quality seeds, manures, pesticides, latest technology etc.
(5) It implements programmes for improving the health and strength of cattle by furnishing
improved fodder, artificial insemination centers, cattle grazing etc.
Financial Resources of Mandal Parishad:
Mandal Parishad receives revenue from various sources. These include funds from union and
state governments, community development grants, levies from Village Panchayats, public
donations, grant-in-aid from all India organisations etc.
(ii) Mandal Parishad President (MPP): He acts as the political head of the Mandal Parishad.
He presides over the meeting of the Mandal Parishad. He determines the date and agenda of
the said meeting in consultation with the Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO). He
will have control over the MPDO in the implementation of various resolutions of the Mandal
Parishad. He takes suggestions from non-political/eminent/experienced persons for the
effective functioning of the Mandal Parishad.
(iii) Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO): Mandal Parishad Development
Officer (MPDO) is the administrative head of Mandal Parishad. He plays a crucial role in the
administrative affairs of the Mandal Parishad. He prepares the agenda of the Parishad meetings
and participates in the meeting and renders advice to the members on several matters of the
Mandal Parishad. He prepares the annual budget of the Mandal Parishad. He takes steps for
effective working of the Mandal Parishad.

(iv) Mandal Mahasabha: There will be a Mandal Mahasabha in every Mandal Parishad. It
serves as an advisory body to the Mandal Parishad. It comprises of the Sarpanches of the village
panchayats in Mandal Parishad jurisdiction and members of the Mandal Parishad. The Mandal
Parishad President (MPP) presides over its meetings. The MPDO convenes its meetings on the
advice of the MPP. Mandal Mahasabha serves as a link between Mandal Parishad and Gram
Panchayats. It discusses the matters concerning the annual budget, audit report and
administrative report of the previous year.

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(III) ZILLA PARISHAD

Zilla Parishad is the upper tier of the Panchayat Raj System. There will be a Zilla Parishad in
every district. It is the superior local body at the district level and has the corporate status. It is
known as Zilla Panchayat in Gujarat, Zilla Vikaspartishat in Tamil Nadu and Mahakum
Council in Assam, District Development Council in Karnataka.
Composition of Zilla Parishad: It comprises six organs, namely:

(i) Zilla Parishad

(ii) Zilla Parishad President (ZPP)
(iii) Zilla Mahasabha

(iv) Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

(v) Standing Committee and
(vi) District Collector

(i) Zilla Parishad

It is the legislative wing at the district level. It comprises various types of members, i.e., elected,
co-opted and ex-officio members. District level authorities like the District Collector,
Chairman of District Co-operative Central Bank (DCCB), District Co-operative Marketing
Society and Zilla Grandhalaya Samstha participate in the meetings as permanent invitees.
Besides, the members of State Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Lok Sabha participate in the
meetings as ex-officio members.

Functions of Zilla Parishad

Zilla Parishad performs the following functions:
(1) It approves the annual budget of the Mandal Parishad in the district.
(2) It allocates the grants sanctioned by the union and state governments among the Mandal
Parishads.
(3) It takes steps for implementing the directives of the union and state governments.
(4) It acts as the supervising and coordinating agency of various programmes of Mandal
Parishad in the district.
(5) It conducts statistical surveys as per the guidelines of various union and state governments.
(6) It maintains secondary schools in the district.

(7) It renders advice to the union and state governments on financial matters of the Village
Panchayats and Mandal Parishads.
Zilla Parishad implements its activities basing on the grants of union and state government,
contribution from Mandal Parishads and Public Donations.
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(ii) Zilla Parishad Chairman

The Chairman, being the political head, presides over the meetings of Zilla Parishad. He is
elected by the elected members of Zilla Parishad, i.e., ZPTCs, MPs, MLAs and MLCs of the
district concerned. The chairman presides over the ordinary and special meetings of the Zilla
Parishad. He conduct the meetings with dignity. He permits the members for moving
resolutions, allocates time for discussion and conducts voting on the resolutions. He also
presides over the meetings of Zilla Mahasabha and some standing committees. He acts as a link
between Zilla Parishad and the State Government. He will have administrative control over the
Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in the implementation of various resolutions.

(iii) Zilla Mahasabha

There will be a Zilla Mahasabha in every Zilla Parishad. It comprises a chairman and some
other members of Zilla Parishad. It serves as an advisory body to the Zilla Parishad. The Zilla
Parishad Chairman presides over its meetings. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) attends its
meetings in ex-officio capacity. It performs three important functions, namely:
(a) Examining the annual budget and audit reports of Zilla Parishad.
(b) Administrative report of the previous year and

(c) other matters of Zilla Parishad.

(iv) Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
There will be a Chief Executive Officer in every Zilla Parishad. He is appointed by the state
government and responsible to the state government and Zilla Parishad in exercise of his
powers and functions. He serves as the administrative head of Zilla Parishad. He plays a role
in preparing the annual budget and agenda for the general meetings of the Zilla Parishad in
consultation with Zilla Parishad Chairman. He will have administrative control over the
personnel, assets and records of the Zilla Parishad. He takes necessary steps for implementing
the decisions of Zilla Parishad, Zilla Mahasabha and Standing Committees.

(v) Standing Committees

There are seven Standing Committees in Zilla Parishad. They render advice to the Zilla
Parishad on several matters like planning, finance, agriculture, rural development, women,
social welfare, education, health etc. the CEO prepares the agenda of the meetings and decides
the venue of the standing committees on the advice of the Zilla Parishad Chairman. The district
Collector participates in Zilla Parishad and standing committee meetings as a permanent
invitee.

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URBAN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN INDIA

Urban Local Governments occupy a prominent place in the administrative system of urban
areas in India. India is a vast country having rich cultural heritage. More than 26 percent of
population lives in rural India. It has seen their rise and fall of many urban centers of political,
cultural and commercial significance in ancient and medieval period.

Historical Background
Megasthanes, a prominent Chinese traveler who visited India Mauryan Period in 4th century
B.C. mentioned about the Urban Local Governments in India in his book ‘Indica’. He described
that an urban area, known as a town was administered by six committees consisting of five
officials. Each committee owed responsibility for looking after separate activities like industrial
arts, entertainment for foreigners, deaths and births, trade and commerce, supervision of
manufactured goods and collection of commercial taxes.
Abdul Fazl, another foreign traveler who visited India during the Moghal Period referred to the
municipal functions of town officer known as Kotwal. Kotwal was the administrative officer
having complete grip over the affairs of the people living in municipal areas. Kotwal also
handled many matters like magisterial and fiscal affairs. Abdul Fazl’s book, Ain-i-Akbar,
contains some references to the duties of Kotwal. These duties include watchfulness, night
patrolling etc. Kotwal maintained a register of houses and roads. He engaged the services of
citizens in a pledge of reciprocal assistance.
The main milestones in the evolution of urban local governments in India during the British
Period are summarized as follows:
The first municipal corporation in India was set up at Madras in 1687 with the aim of
assigning financial responsibility of city administration to the newly created corporation. Later,
the Royal Charter of 1720 provided for setting up of a Mayor’s Court in the presidency towns
of Madras, Bombay and Calcutta. The Act of 1850 led to establishment of local committees in
all cities within the jurisdiction of person.
The Act of 1850 enabled the establishment of local committees in all cities of British India to
take care of public health. Later in 1870 Lord Mayo’s resolution assured steps for strengthening
urban local bodies with the inclusion of more Indians. Lord Rippon’s resolution of 1882 led to
the expansion of these bodies, more devolution of financial resources, reduction of officials to
one-third and election process. The Royal Commission on decentralization, 1907
recommended for the adoption of far-reaching measures like avoiding official control,
enlarging voting rights, provision of more financial resources etc., to the local bodies.
The Government of India Act, 1919 introduced Diarchy in the provinces and included the items
Urban Local Governments under Transferred List and was put under the charge of a popular
minister. It has given the scope for expanding franchise, enlarging taxation powers and
reducing nominated official members. However, the Government of India Act, 1935 did not
assign proper significance to these bodies. Later, no substantial progress was made in the case
of these bodies due to the outbreak of Second World War.
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After Independence, the new Constitution of 1950 made specific provisions for the
establishment of Panchayat Raj Institutions (Article 40) under the Directive Principles of State
Policy (DPSP). There was a little mention about these institutions under Entry 5 of State List
of the Schedule. The entry mentioned about the composition and powers of municipal
corporations, improvement trusts, district boards, mining settlement authorities and other local
authorities.
The Constitution empowered the state governments to formulate and implement such laws
concerning urban affairs. The matters concerning urban planning were included in Entry 20
which mentioned about the economic and social planning. According to this Entry, matters of
powers and functions of urban local bodies are entrusted to the state governments and urban
planning under the supervision of both the union and state governments.

& & & & &

CONSTITUTION (74th AMENDMENT) ACT, 1992
The Constitution (74th Amendment) Act, 1992 was approved by the Parliament in December,
1992. It was regarded as a progressive step in strengthening the urban local bodies in India. It
provided a common framework for the effective functioning of these bodies. The Act came
into force on June-1, 1993.

Main Provisions of Constitution (74th Amendment) Act 1992

The salient features of the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act, 1992 are as follows:
(1) The Act gave Constitutional status to the urban local bodies in India for the first time. It
introduced a new part in the Constitution, namely Part IX-A.
(2) It incorporated the 12th schedule in the Constitution.
(3) It listed out 18 subjects under the jurisdiction of urban local bodies.

(4) It gave definitions of various terms concerning the urban local bodies. It constituted
metropolitan area for urban areas having a population of 10 lakhs or more.
(5) It provided for the Constitution of various urban local bodies such as Municipal
Corporation, Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat etc.
(6) It specified the composition of the Municipalities. It declared that the elected members of
the Legislative Assembly and the Lok Sabha of the concerned area will act as ex-officio
members of the Municipalities.

(7) It authorized the state legislature to make legislation for the composition of ward
committees in Municipalities.
(8) It provided for reservation of some seats in urban local bodies for SCs and STs in proportion
to their population in municipal areas. It also provided one-third reservation for women in
municipal areas on rotation basis.
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(9) It prescribed the uniform term of 5 years for municipalities. It also clarified that elections
shall be held within the six months after its dissolution.
(10) It specified that the persons who are disqualified to become members of Legislative
Assembly shall also become disqualified as members of municipality. It also prescribes 21
years of age for becoming a member of municipality.
(11) It empowered the state legislature to make laws enabling the municipalities to impose and
collect taxes, allocate funds and receive Grant-in-aid from the state government.

(12) It enabled the state government to appoint the state finance commission for every five
years for making recommendations on the principles for distribution of Grants-in-aid among
the urban local bodies.
(13) It allowed the state legislature to make legislation for the audit of the accounts of urban
local bodies.
(14) It provided for the appointment of State Election Commission (SEC) to conduct, supervise,
direct and control the elections to urban local bodies.
(15) It also enabled the state legislature to create a district planning committee in each district
for consolidating the plan activities.
(16) It provides for the establishment of metropolitan planning committee in every state.

&&&&&
TWELFTH (12th) SCHEDULE
It contains the following 18 Fundamental subjects enumerated with the purview of urban local
bodies.
(1) Urban planning including town planning.
(2) Regulation of land-use and construction of buildings.

(3) Planning for economic and social development.

(4) Roads and bridges.
(5) Water supply for domestic, industrial and commercial purposes.
(6) Public health, sanitation, conservancy and solid waste management.

(7) Fire services.

(8) Urban forestry, protection of environment and promotion of ecological aspects.
(9) Safeguarding the interests of weaker section of society, including the handicapped and
mentally retracted.
(10) Slum improvement and up gradation.
RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE TECHNOLOGIES – A.P.

(11) Urban poverty alleviation.

(12) Provision for urban amenities and facilities such as parks, gardens, playgrounds.

(13) Promotion of cultural, educational and aesthetic aspects.

(14) Burials and burial grounds; cremations; cremation grounds and electric crematoriums.
(15) Cattle pounds, prevention of cruelty to animals.
(16) Vital statistics including registration of births and deaths.

(17) Public amenities including street lighting, parking lots, bus stops and public conveniences.
(18) Regulation of slaughter houses and tanneries.
&&&&&
TYPES OF URBAN LOCAL BODIES
As per the 74th Constitution Amendment Act, eight types of Urban Local Bodies are existing
in India. These may be briefly explained as follows:
(1) MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
Municipal Corporation is an important category of urban local government. It is the highest
local government institution working in each large urban area. It is constituted by a special Act
of the state government. The first municipal corporation was setup in the former presidency
town of Madras in 1687. It was followed by similar corporations in Bombay and Calcutta. The
state government can declare the transformation of a municipality into a municipal corporation
when the population is at least three lakhs and annual income is four crore rupees.

Functions of the Municipal Corporation

Municipal Corporation performs two types of functions, namely, essential and discretionary.
(a) Essential Functions: These functions are to be performed by the municipal corporation
irrespective of financial constraints. They are as follows:
(1) Construction, repair and maintenance of roads and footpaths.
(2) Erection and maintenance of street lights.
(3) Allotment of numbers to the houses.Fi
(4) Eradication of contagious diseases.

(5) Registration and maintenance of birth and deaths registers.

(6) Imposition and collection of taxes, fees etc.

(7) Construction and maintenance of places and slaughter houses.

(8) Control of offensive and dangerous practices etc.
RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE TECHNOLOGIES – A.P.

(b) Discretionary Functions: The municipal corporation performs these functions subject to
the availability of financial resources.
(1) Establishment and maintenance of maternity, child and women welfare centers, drug testing
laboratories, auditoriums, gymnasiums, parks, gardens, rest houses etc.
(2) Beautification of the corporation areas etc.
Sources of Income: The municipal corporation receives income through four important
sources. (i) Taxes, (ii) Grants from the union and the state governments, (iii) Fees and rents
and (iv) Contributions from the public.
Composition of Municipal Corporation
The number of members of each municipal corporation is determined on the basis of the
population of the city concerned by the law passed by the state legislature. Every municipal
corporation consists of four organs, namely (i) Corporation Council (ii) Mayor, (iii)
Commissioner and (iv) Standing Committees.
(i) Corporation Council: It is the deliberative and legislative wing of the municipal
corporation. It consists of members elected by the voters in the wards of the municipal
corporation. They are called Corporators. Some seats in the council are reserved for SCs, STs,
BCs and women on rotation basis. The municipal commissioner, the MLAs and the members
of the Lok Sabha of the concerned area attend its meetings as ex-officio members. The mayor
presides over the meetings of the council. The council is headed by a Mayor. The agenda of
the council is prepared by the municipal commissioner after consulting the Mayor.

(ii) The Mayor: The Mayor is the first citizen of the municipal corporation. He is the political
and ceremonial head of the municipal corporation. He is elected directly by the voters of the
corporation area. He presides over the ordinary and special meetings of the corporation council.
He holds the office for a period of five years. He receives a monthly honorarium of Rs.14,000
per month.
(iii) Commissioner: The commissioner is the administrative head of the municipal
corporation. He is appointed by the state government and is generally a member of the IAS
cadre. He represents the state government in the affairs of the municipal corporation. He
exercises administrative control over the personnel properties and programmes of the
municipal corporation. He is responsible for the implementation of the decisions taken by the
council and its standing committees.

Powers and Functions of the Municipal Commissioner

The municipal commissioner exercises the following powers and functions
(1) He informs to the members the date and agenda of the meetings of the corporation council
in consultation with the Mayor.
(2) He prepares the annual budget for the municipal corporation and presents it to the
corporation council for consideration and approval.
RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE TECHNOLOGIES – A.P.

(3) He takes necessary steps for preparing the voters list in the municipal corporation
jurisdiction.
(4) He attends the meetings of the corporation council and renders advice to the members and
gives clarification on various matters.
(5) He maintains all records of the municipal corporation.
(6) He takes steps for implementing the resolutions of the municipal corporation or standing
committees.
(7) He sends a copy of the minutes of the municipal corporation or standing committees
meetings to the state government for ratification.
(8) He maintains the financial accounts of the municipal corporation.
(9) He acts as the chief coordinator, motivator and facilitator to the personnel of the municipal
corporation.

(10) He takes steps for implementing the directives of the union and state governments in the
municipal corporation area.
(iv) Standing Committees: These are the advisory bodies of Municipal Corporation. They
are created to facilitate the working of the council, which is too large in size. They maintain
liason with the routine matters of the municipal corporation. They offer valuable suggestions
for the effective functioning of the municipal corporation. They examine the annual budget of
the municipal corporation. They deal with public works, education, health, taxation, finance,
and so on. They take decisions in their field.

(2) MUNICIPALITIES
Municipalities are a type of urban local bodies functioning below the level of Municipal
Corporation and above that of the nagar panchayat / notified area. Normally, municipalities are
constituted for a population of 20,001 and above or when annual income is above Rs.60 lakhs.
They are also constituted when annual income is above 20 lakhs acquiring from Trade
Licenses, profession taxes and non-agricultural sectors. Sometimes panchayats are upgraded
as municipalities on the basis of population density and employment opportunities.
Municipalities are classified into five grades basing on their annual income. They are:
(a) Selection Grade Municipalities- Annual income over and above Rs. 4 crores.
(b) Special Grade Municipalities- Annual income varying between Rs. 3 and Rs. 4 crores.
(c) First Grade Municipalities- Annual income varying between Rs. 2 and Rs. 3 crores.

(d) Second Grade Municipalities- Annual income varying between Rs. 1 and Rs. 2 crores.
(e) Third Grade Municipalities- Annual income below Rs. 1 crores.
RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE TECHNOLOGIES – A.P.

Functions of Municipality
Every municipality, like that of the municipal corporation, performs two types of functions,
namely (i) essential and (ii) discretionary.

(i) Essential Functions

Essential functions of the municipality including the following:

(1) Maintenance of birth and death registers

(2) Establishment and maintenance of elementary, upper primary and secondary schools.

(3) Provision purified drinking water and street lights.

(4) Maintenance of public health and sanitation.
(5) Construction and maintenance of roads and buildings.
(6) Safeguarding and preserving municipal properties etc.

Discretionary Functions
A municipality performs the following discretionary functions.
(1) Reclamation of unhygienic places.

(2) Maintenance of parks, museums, garden, and rest houses, regarding rooms etc.
(3) Maintenance of child, women welfare and maternity centers.

Sources of Income of Municipality

Every municipality has the following five sources of income.
(a) Taxes collected from people (b) Fees and duties (c) Income in the form of rent from markets
and buildings (d) public borrowings and grants and (e) Public contributions.
Composition: There are four organs in every municipality, namely: (i) Municipal Council (ii)
Municipal Chairman (iii) Municipal Commissioner and (iv) Standing Committees.

The structure, powers and functions of these may be explained as under:

(i) Municipal Council:
Municipal Council is the deliberative body of the municipality. It consists of some (i) elected
(ii) co-opted and (iii) ex-officio members. Registered voters in the municipal area elect the first
category of members. They are called Councillors. The elected members will in turn elect the
second category of members. They are called co-opted members. The district collector and
municipal commissioner, the members of Lok Sabha and state legislative assembly of the area
concerned are called as the ex-officio members. Normally, the council meets once in a month.
The municipal commissioner prepares the agenda of the municipal council after consulting the
RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE TECHNOLOGIES – A.P.

municipal chairman. Some seats in the municipal council are reserved for SCs, STs, BCs and
Women. Municipal council considers the matters relating to the municipality.
(ii) Municipal Chairman: The Chairperson shall have power to inspect all records of the
Municipality and direct the Secretary to submit such records as he thinks necessary, for
inspection, record as requested by the Government, the Secretary may address the Government
directly.

(iii) Municipal Commissioner:

Municipal Commissioner is the administrative head of the municipality. He is responsible for
discharging his functions in the municipal council and the state government.
(1) He prepares the agenda of the municipal council after consulting the Municipal Chairman.
(2) He attends the meetings of the municipal council in the capacity of ex-officio member.
(3) He implements the resolutions of the municipal council after ratification from the state
government.
(4) He sends a copy of the minutes of the municipal council to the district collector and regional
director of municipal administration within three days after the meetings.
(5) He prepares the annual budget of the municipality
(6) He takes steps to collect taxes and maintain records of the municipality.
(7) He exercises control over the personnel, properties and programmes of the municipality.

(iv) Standing Committees: Every municipality consist of some standing committees. These
committees act as advisory bodies to the municipalities on matters of finance, works, health,
education, women welfare, and welfare of the backward classes etc. Municipal chairman
presides over the meetings of these committees. The standing committees establish a liaison
with the routine administrative matters of the municipality.

(3) NAGAR PANCHAYAT

Nagar Panchayats are created for transitional areas (the area which is fast changing from a rural
to an urban area) or for a very small urban area. For this purpose, several factors are taken into
consideration; the density of the population therein, the revenue generated for local
administration, the percentage of employment in non-agricultural activities, the economic
importance of the area and some others.

Functions of Nagar Panchayat

The Nagar Panchayat performs all the civic functions as is of the municipal council in town
area. It implements plans for the development of the area.
RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE TECHNOLOGIES – A.P.

Composition
The strength of the members of Nagar Panchayat is fixed by the state legislature from time to
time. They are directly elected by the people of the area on the basis of adult franchise. For the
purpose of election, the area of nagar panchayat is divided into wards and each wards elects
one member. Besides the elected members, the member of the state legislative assembly (MLA)
representing that area is also the ex-officio member of nagar panchayat. Every nagar panchayat
elects one president and one vice-president amongst its members. They are elected by all the
elected members. The president presides over its meetings.
Term
The tenure of nagar panchayat has been fixed at 5 years. It begins from the date of its first
meeting. It is obligatory to hold its elections before expire of its 5 years term. If a nagar
panchayat is dissolved before the expiry of its term, its re-election has to be held within six
months of the dissolution. The new nagar panchayat in this case holds office for the remaining
tenure of the dissolved nagar panchayat.

Reservation of Seats
There is reservation of seats for (i) SCs (ii) STs (iii) BCs (iv) Women. The criteria for
reservations are the same as for all other local government institutions.

&&&&&
(4) NOTIFIED AREA COMMITTEE
This is constituted either for a fast developing town or an area not fulfilling the conditions for
the creation of municipality. As it is created through a special notification of the state
government. It is known as Notified Area Committee. It does not possess statutory position. It
will have a chairman and some members who are nominated by the state government. Its
functions are more or less same as that of a municipality.

(5) TOWN AREA COMMITTEE

Town Area Committee is setup by an act of state legislature. It fulfils the public needs of a
small town. It will have a chairman and members nominated by the state government. It
performs limited functions like street lighting, drainage etc. it authorities take steps for
improving the conditions of the people living in the town area.

(6) CANTONMENT BOARDS

Cantonment Boards are established in India under the Cantonment Act of 1924. At present
there are 62 Cantonment boards in India. These bodies take steps for improving the conditions
of civilian population and military personnel in their jurisdiction. There are three types of
cantonment boards in India. They are created by an act of defense ministry. Each board
comprises some members belonging to the elected, nominated and ex-officio categories. There
will be a general officer on command (GOC) for every cantonment board.
RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE TECHNOLOGIES – A.P.

The Cantonment Act of 2006 was enacted to consolidate and amend the law relating to the
administration of cantonments with a view to impart greater demonstration, impairment of their
financial base formula provisions for developmental activities and for matters connected with
them. This act has replaced the Cantonments Act 1924.

(7) TOWNSHIP
Township is established by the public sector undertakings to provide basic civic amenities to
its personnel. It has no elected members. There will be a town administrator for every township.
He is appointed by the concerned ministry of union government. Its services are meant not for
the general public but for the personnel working in the public sector undertakings.

(8) PORT TRUST

Port Trust is setup in the area where port personnel are in considerable member. It manages the
affairs of ports. It takes proper steps for protecting the interests of personnel in the port areas.
The union government constitutes port affairs committee. The committee comprises both
nominated and elected members.

(9) SPECIAL PURPOSE AGENCIES

These agencies are meant for tackling some special issues faced by the people. They perform
some peculiar functions for the people residing in municipalities and other notified urban areas.
They are established by the special acts of state legislature. Sometimes they came into vogue
through a special order of the state government. Housing board, water supply, undertakings,
electricity generation and distribution grids, urban development authorities etc are some
examples of these agencies.

&&&&&
DISTRICT COLLECTOR
A Collector, formally addressed as the District Collector, is any person given the powers to
collect or manage collection in a district or territory. He is the highest Indian Civil
Administrative Officer who is in charge of collection of revenue and administration of a district
in the country. District Collector also possesses executive magisterial powers, his post is also
known as District Magistrate.

Historical Background
District Collector, as a post has been one of the most important posts when it comes to the areas
of administration in India for the last two hundred years. In Pre-Independent India, when the
country’s economy was predominantly agrarian, a Collector was appointed to be the head to
collect the land revenue. He was also enjoying wide powers of administration under criminal
laws. The Collector, then, was considered as the fundamental guardian figure who was
accountable for the welfare of the people and residents within his jurisdiction. The British
Empire, allotted the jurisdiction of every collector as a ‘district’. District, has been one of the
RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE TECHNOLOGIES – A.P.

most important limbs of administration in some way or the other from time immemorial when
it comes to India.
The British Parliament which was the first ever legislature when it comes to India’s
administration and governance, made some enactments which gave concrete powers to a person
at the district level to administer the various problems and issues existing in such district. A
head of administration was generally called as the Collector when he performs duties of
collection and administration with respect to revenues and other incomes. The same head when
performs duties in administering criminal justice, is known as the District Magistrate and when
performs duties in relation to general administration of the district accompanied by ancillary
functions or powers governing the laws of tenancy he is called the Deputy Commissioner.

The District Collector/ District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner leads the administration of

the district and is also responsible for the basic control and management of the police. Even
after 73 years of Independence, the diversification of the Indian economy, growth in
industrialization and other economic activities in most parts of India, except for the
metropolitan cities, the District Collector is recognized as an important part of administration.
He is also viewed as the primary representative of the District. He is considered as the person
who could be approached for solutions to problems from land disputes to insufficiency of
crucial commodities, to inadequacy of any relief during crisis, to community disputes and such
like.
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF A COLLECTOR:
The District Collector enjoys vest powers and performs several functions as the head of the
district administration. These may be explained as follows:
(1) The Collector as District Revenue Officer: The District Collector is the Chief Revenue
Officer. He, in that capacity, serves as the chief guide to the farmers in the district by fulfilling
several obligations. His revenue functions include various activities such as collection of land
revenue, sanction of agricultural loans to farmers, rescuing the farmers in times of natural
calamities by assessing the loss incurred by them, rendering assistance to the union and state
authorities in emergency relief measures etc. Preparing the statistical data regarding the
production of food grains and for providing the required financial assistance, maintenance of
the records of the public lands etc., are some of his functions. He also supervises the treasury
matters in the district.

(2) The Collector as District Magistrate: The Collector act as the District Magistrate. He will
have supervision over the activities of the district police personnel. He sees that law and order
conditions in the district are normal. The District Superintendent of Police (DSP) and other
police officers owe responsibility to the Collector in matters such as supervision over police
personnel, prisons etc. The Collector can inspect the police stations in the district. He can issue
firing orders when all peaceful efforts fail in the restoration of normalcy.
Supervision over sub-ordinate courts, provision of basic amenities to prisoners, solving labour
problems, granting parole to the prisoners, issuing no objection certificates for explosives,
RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE TECHNOLOGIES – A.P.

petrol bunks, cinema theatres etc., are some of the functions rendered by the District Collector
in this context.
(3) The District Collector as Chief Coordinator: The District Collector acts the chief
coordinator of various government departments in the district. He acts as the chief counsel and
coordinator of the departments such as agriculture, irrigation, co-operation and labour affairs.
The heads of these departments shall oblige and implement the suggestions and guidelines of
the collector in the district. Even though these heads formulate their policies independently;
they are answerable to the District Collector in discharging their obligations.
(4) The District Collector as District Electoral Officer: The District Collector acts as the
chief electoral officer. He serves as the main agent of the Election Commission of India for
conducting elections to the various representative bodies in the district. He makes arrangements
for conducting the elections in fair and impartial manner. These include preparation of electoral
list and its modification, hearing public grievances on voters list, registration of new voters,
issue of voter IDs, appointing returning officers, assistant returning officers etc. After elections
to the local bodies, the Collector will fix the date for electing President, Vice-Presidents etc.,
to the rural and urban bodies in the district.

(5) The District Collector as the Chief Census Officer: The Collector acts as the chief census
officer in the district. He, on behalf of the union and state governments, takes steps for holding
census operations in the district for every ten years. He also sees that statistical data regarding
mulch cattle, trees and domesticated animals in the district is compiled properly.
(6) The District Collector as Permanent Invitee of Local Bodies: The District Collector is a
permanent invitee to the meetings of Panchayat Raj and urban local bodies in the district. He
acts as a main link between the union, state governments and district local bodies on various
matters. He participates in the normal/emergency meetings of Zilla Parishad and Mandal
Parishads in the district. He sends confidential reports to the state government on the nature of
functioning of these bodies.

(7) The District Collector as Developmental Officer:

(a) The Collector directs and supervises the execution of developmental plans.
(b) He ensures that the schemes reach the targets in right time and coordinates the proper
execution of developmental schemes by removing difficulties.
(c) He also makes sure there is no corruption.

(8) The District Collector as District Planning Council Chairman:

(a) He is the chairperson of the District Planning Council (DPC) and is involved in preparing
the 5 year and annual district plans.
(b) He oversees the progress and implementation of schemes and projects and heads the
coordination cell of bank in the district. He also anticipates the expenditure and allots the
appropriate amount of money for it.
RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE TECHNOLOGIES – A.P.

(9) The District Collector as Disaster Management Chairman:

(a) In case of natural calamities like flood, famines or epidemics, the collector has a duty to
manage the disaster.

(b) He is the Chairman of the District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) and by virtue
of this power he is expected to take anticipatory measures to diminish the consequence of such
disaster.
(c) He is authorised to grant gratuitous relief to the affected persons.

(10) The District Collector as Administer of District Civil Supplies:

(a) He administers management of provision of essentials by way of Public Distribution System
(PDS) which operates through fair price shops that provide goods like rice, wheat, sugar,
kerosene etc. This distribution is ensured through ration cards issued by the government.
(b) The District Supply Officer who is in charge of all these shops is under the control of the
district collector.
(c) He has the power to conduct raids in such shops at regular or random intervals.
(11) The District Collector as Supervisor of District Excise Department:
The main source of income to State Government arises from the sale of liquor and other
intoxicants and also the District Collector supervises the payment of monthly rents, inspects
the quality of liquor and strictly prohibits adulteration of liquor.
(12) Other Functions:

The District Collector also performs the following functions.

(1) Matters concerning the welfare of ex-servicemen.
(2) Provision of irrigation facilities.
(3) Supervision over sub treasuries.
(4) Coordinating the activities of various government departments.
(5) Supervising the training programmes for junior officers.
(6) Acting as a chief protocol officer.
(7) Proper distribution of essential commodities.
(8) Implementing the directives of union and state governments etc.
&&&&&
RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF KNOWLEDGE TECHNOLOGIES – A.P.

ROLE OF DISTRICT COLLECTOR

The District Collector plays a crucial role in the affairs of local governments in the district
administration can be studied under the following heads.

(1) He serves as the friend, philosopher and guide to the common men living in the district.
(2) He serves as a link between people and local bodies in the district.

(3) He makes recommendations to the state government in regard to the working of the local
bodies in the district.
(4) His valuable remarks are required for constituting new Gram Panchayats and Mandal
Parishad in the district.
(5) He sees that the farmers in the district receive sufficient agricultural inputs such as seed,
fertilizers, water, rural credit and marketing facilities etc.
(6) He supervises the activities of village extension officers.
(7) He sees that all persons below poverty line (BPL) will receive ration and pension facilities.
(8) He vigorously implements the various rural development and rural reconstruction
programmes of union and state governments like National Rural Employment Guarantee
Scheme (NREGS), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Janani Suraksha Yojana
(JSY), Aam Admi Bima Yojana (AABY), Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme
(RLEGP), Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Valmiki
Ambedkar Awas Yojana (VAMBAY), National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Mid-Day
Meal (MDM) scheme etc.

(9) He takes the assistance of auxiliary staff for implementing the various programmes of rural
and urban local bodies.
(10) He acting as a counsel to the field staff, hearing the grievances of the representatives and
people in the local bodies and informing the union and state government authorities about the
various issues of local bodies.
(11) He supervises and control over the activities of various district level officers like Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad, District
Panchayat Officer (DPO), District Rural Development Officer (RDO), Road Transport Officer
(RTO) etc.
(12) He visits various mandalas and villages in the district for about twenty days in every month
and supervises the working of local bodies at the field level.
(13) He tackling the financial, political and cultural matters of the people

Conclusion: The office of District Collector has under gone several tremendous changes in
recent times. This office was reconstituted as a result of liberalization, privatization and
globalization.