COMPONENT- I PERSONAL DETAILS

ROLE NAME AFFILIATION

Subject Coordinator Prof. I. Ramabrahmam Central University
Hyderabad
Paper Coordinator Prof. A. S. Malik Kurukshetra University
Kurukshetra
Content Writer Dr. Jyoti Marwah (Assistant Khandelwal College,
Professor) University of Rajasthan
Content Reviewer
Language Editor

COMPONENT-II DESCRIPTION OF MODULE

Items Description of Module

Subject Name Public Administration

Paper Name Public Administration: An Introduction

Module Name/ Title District Collector (DC)

Module Id

Pre-requisites

Objectives The module discusses the functions and role of District Collector
in the Indian Administrative System (DC). The reading of the
module will apprise students regarding inception of the system of
decentralized planning, and its most significant appurtenance i.e.
the office of the District Collector. The functions, powers and
role of the DC in the administrative machinery. The functioning
of the DC has been critically evaluated and the module concludes
by making by making relevant suggestions.

Keywords Democratic Decentralization, District Collector, 73rd

Constitutional Amendment Act 1992, Lakhani Experiment

1
COMPONENT III

ABSTRACT
Since ancient times administration has been the bulwark of a flourishing society. With the
changing times the development and growth of the society rests upon the pillars of
democratic decentralization, especially, with reference to the context of the holistic
development of the community. District being the functional unit of local administration has
been the central tenet of both government machinery whilst augmenting people’s
participation and action. However, with the changing dynamics of the society i.e. the
transformation of the role of the government from the provider to that facilitator of services,
the manifestations of the office of District Collector has undergone drastic changes. To suit
up these changes there have significant emancipation of the hierarchy of the office along with
the mobilisation of resources to match the pace of a globalised society. This compendium of
appurtenances working to achieve a desired outcome has been couple by the paradigm shift
of the institutionalization of The Panchayati Raj bodies aka 73rd-74th Constitutional
Amendment Act, 1992.

Thereby, in the ambit of the above mentioned scenario of the Indian democratic structure an
attempt has been made through this module to study the functions and the ever changing role
of the District Collector to suit the changing connotations of the society. The module has
been designed with an overview of conceptual nomenclature of democratic decentralisation
in India, office of the District Collector i.e. functions and powers, changing role of the D.C.
followed by a few exemplary approaches with some suggestions to improve the functioning
of the Office.

2
COMPONENT IV

1. INTRODUCTION
Now a widely accepted phenomenon, decentralisation aka self-governing institutions at the
local level are imperative for national growth and effective for efficient people’s
participation. These grassroot structures of democracy have become an indispensable and
integral part as they usher in a systematised and rational step in the democratic process; thus,
through their functionality they intend to remove national and local disparity by enabling
people with a sense of responsibility whilst inculcating values of democratic democratization.

These structures of self governance are termed as political and administrative innovation with
far reaching importance since its inception in 1959. The prime motto of these bodies was to
awaken political consciousness simultaneously engendering a democratic vogue. The
Panchayati Raj institutions have played a significant role, especially at local levels.
Moreover, as these institutions of democracy function on the principle of adult franchise,
wherein, the populace can work as a community. Thereafter, they have turned out to be one
of the most powerful engines of growth in the Indian democracy with the permeating
capability of micro and macro politics.

Rural development is thus advocated as a basic strategy for economic development in India.
Many rural development programmes have been launched both by the Central and State
governments which aimed at improving the condition of the poor people.1 Historically
speaking local government is an ancient institution but with new nomenclature as it embodies
the individuality of man’s collective efforts yet highlighting the essence of liberty. The multi-
dimensional approach of local government has sufficing variety in the work and authority
performed; so much to its effect that it is impossible for a single authority to supervise its
functioning. Thereafter, several levels of hierarchy have been clearly demarcated to discharge
its utility.

1
E.A. Narayana and K. Anil Kumar (2014), “Organisation and Working of
District Rural Development Agency: A Case Study”, Journal of Rural Development, Vol.33 No. (2) pp
205-213, NIRD, Hyderabad

3
 2. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
The basic avenue of field administration in India is a district which amalgamates the
comprehensive sphere of administration and management of public affairs; with its viability
providing a totality in the appurtenances of public administration. Therefore, a district can be
rightly termed units/geographical structures created by the State governments for
administrative convenience.
The above said discussion seems to be meaningless with highlighting any relevance to the
office of the District Collector or Deputy Commissioner; more commonly referred to as the
kingpin of district administration. Various thinkers over the years have given several
parameters and nomenclature types to define the position and authority of the district
collector, namely, the introduction of the Montague-Chelmsford reforms introduced the
incumbent of the office as the sole head of the district administration whilst exercising a wide
range of functions under his superintendence over the district. Lord Macaulay observed,
“Such power as that of the Collectors in India have over the people of India, is not found in
any other part of the world possessed by any class of the functionaries”.2 Moreover, the
inception and introduction of community development programmes coupled the approach of
active people’s participation; especially the launch of Panchayati Raj programs at the urban
and rural context has indeed brought many significant changes promoting growth and
development of the aforesaid office.

3. DISTRICT COLLECTOR OR DEPUTY COMMISSIONER

The office of the District collector has an appointment from the Indian Administrative
Services in fourth or fifth year of service. This was a bit different in the pre-independent era,
wherein, a member of the Indian Civil Services (ICS) was appointed after twelve or fifteen
years of service. Also, no special training is required for the officer, moreover, the incumbent
is usually from the State Civil Services to IAS promotes; henceforth, quite mature and
experienced to handle the dynamics of the office.

2
Sahib Singh and Swinder Singh (2008), “Public Administration- Development & Local Administration”, pp 48-
49

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 4. EVOLUTION AND HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Although the districts are termed as the initiation point of sub-state administration, since
ancient times, yet district is considered as the basic territorial administrative unit. Therefore,
there has been continuity in the usage of district, both as a phenomenon and practice. From
the Code Manu, describing it (the Village) as a tool of general administration to the Mauryan
Kingdom, wherein, Vishayas i.e. sub units of local administration. Many others to mention
are the Gupta Empire, the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughal Period and the Britishers, wherein, the
different administrative structures had a varying nomenclature but the underlying crux was
the same i.e. district.
The Britishers made remarkable contribution in the field of district administration and
district. In 1772 Warren Hastings placed a district under a Collector. By 1786, the district
came to occupy a central place in the scheme of local administration. In 1829, some districts
were grouped together and formed a Division which was under a Commissioner of Revenue
and Circuit (Powers of supervision and control of the district). Later, districts were sub-
divided into sub-divisions each under a sub-divisional officer. 3
This invariably changing facet of district administration also brought significant changes in
the role and functions of a district collector. The office of the incumbent is nearly 150 years
old with him donning the role of a ruler and guardian. The first ever such attempt was
undertaken in the Mauryan Empire with distinct powers being provided to the district
collector over a thousand men. Similarly, in the Gupta Empire it was the Visayapati who
presided over the Visayas with several powers; the Delhi Sultanate divided the kingdom into
districts called the Shiqs under the supervision of the Shiqdars; the chief revenue officer
under the Mughals was the Amil or Amalguzar, who performed functions related to law and
order, justice, etc.
The breakthrough in the office structure and role of the district collector was sighted during
the pre-independent aka the British period, wherein, it began with East India Company
obtained the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa in 1765. Administratively speaking, the
company’s first serious effort at reform in the Diwani provinces was the appointment of
Covenanted Servants as Supervisors. In 1769-70, they were appointed to the several existing
districts. The office of the Collector of today was thus for the first time created by the
Government of Warren Hastings under the regulations of May 14, 1772 which provided for
the appointment of such an officer in each district. In 1773, the post of District Collector was
3
Ashok Mukhopodhyay, “Changing Role of the District Magistrate”, Indian Journal of Public Administration,
Indian institute of Public Administration, New Delhi, Vol. XLIII, No. 3, July-Sept., 1997, p. 699

5
abolished. There followed a period of Centralization of revenue administration. However, this
system did not work properly and the Collector had to be brought back in 1781, but with
reduced authority. Finally, in 1786, a rational scheme was adopted according to which
districts were organized into regular fiscal units, each under a Collector. In 1787, “leaving
aside a few districts, the Collectors were also vested with magisterial powers and could try
criminal cases within certain limits.4 Lord Cornwallis (1793) did not favour condition of
judicial and executive functions in one hand and placed them in different hands. Henceforth
the Collector was only a collector of land revenue and the District judge and Magistrate
became the head of the district. The Collector, under the Munro system, became the real and
effective head of the district and was responsible for the general administration and the
welfare of the people in his charge. In 1833 and 1843 respectively, the non-covenanted posts
of deputy collectors and deputy magistrates were created to provide participation to the
Indians.5 The Collector-Magistrate system which had kept changing from time to time came
to stay as a permanent feature of District Administration in 1859. This position continued up
to 1919. With the introduction of diarchy in 1921, the institution of District Officer had been
reduced and his powers and authority limited. The inauguration of provincial autonomy in
1937 under the Government of India Act of 1935 diluted the Collector’s authority. He ceased
to be representative of British Government and came to be an agent of the popular
Government. With the introduction of several schemes for rural development during 1937-39,
the Collector was put in charge of these schemes in the villages. Besides, the problems
created by the Second World War (1939-45) added new dimensions to the functions of the
Collector. Thus we see that on the eve of independence, in 1947, the Collector had become
something of a jack of all trades.6
The post-independence period marked the paradigm shift in the role and functioning of the
district collector, as as an office it transcended through the shackles of alien regime to that of
national governance. Thus, its manifestations grew significantly in terms of increase of
powers from maintain law and order, revenue administration to superseding the
developmental activities in the district.
The administration of a district today is a combination of various agencies, namely, police,
revenue, education, agriculture, cooperation, industries, health and education departments,

4
Ramesh K. Arora and Rajini Goyal, Indian Public Administration: Institutions and Issues, Wishwa Prakashan,
New Delhi, 1995, p. 243.
5
S.N. Mishra, “The District Collector: The Changing Role”, Development Policies and Administration in India,
Uppal Publishing House, New Delhi, 2000, pp. 287-288.
6
Edwin Eames and Saran Parmatma, District Administration in India,Vikas Publications, Delhi, 1989, p. 177

6
etc. working collectively under various heads for the common goal of development of that
particular area. Herein, various agencies in a district are headed by the District Collector or
Deputy Commissioner as the chief district officer manning the administrative prospects.
Although, the there is no statutory provision pertaining to the aspect district administration
except Article 233 of the Indian Constitution which merely defines district with reference to
the context of appointment of district judges. However, the dynamism of district
administration has been continual in its approach and facet over the years but in recent and
changing times its nomenclature has found various changes as the corresponding office has
transformed from colonial parochial edifice to a tool of democratic decentralisation in the
wake of community development; thereby, increasing its manifestations with growing needs
of the people.
The paradigm shift that came in the procedural aspect of district administration was with the
advent of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, wherein, the State government has
vertically divided a district into various Tehsils, Villages with horizontal distribution of
various State government offices viz. social welfare, agriculture, police, etc. with its various
urban and local bodies.

5. FUNCTIONS OF THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR

1. Law and Order Maintenance: A conventional and one of the most pivotal functions
of a deputy commissioner is to coordinate with the local police to manage and
maintain law and order functions in his/her district. Also, there exists a delicate
relationship between the chief police officer and the civil administrator as there is an
intended division between force and authority.
2. Revenue Collection: The word ‘Collector’ in the name of the chief administrator
clearly defines his role in the context of this power. It is not only collection of revenue
but looking after all other socio-economic interests of the people that the collector is
entitled too. Thereafter, it is very important for his authority to work with a sense of
personal touch whilst imprinting on every work undertaken by him.
3. Executive Functions: As the chief executive officer of the district the prime
executive functions are in the context of the execution of the government policies. To
initiate the development of the people the government undertakes policies and

7
 programs time to time which are implemented in the best interest of the people.
Moreover, other executive function, namely, the transfer of the subordinate officers,
dealing with pension cases of the office staff, to submit the budgetary estimates, to
counter sign the government bills, to train the junior officers in administrative
procedures, to compile and submit the annual administrative report, etc. are a few to
highlight.
4. Technical Functions: Apart from the executive and technical functions the District
Collector performs certain technical functions, especially with regard to various
departments under his supervision. Though the various department chiefs are
independent yet the district collector has the discretion to visit any department in any
time. Furthermore, the confidential reports of all departments are written by him and
indeed his opinion matters; this aspect has created several problems in the past.
Thereby, the departments are given independent charge under the authority of the
minister.
5. Judicial Functions: Though the District Judge has been placed on the same plank to
that of the District Collector yet this relationship deserves a special mention as it is
clearly mentioned that whosoever comes later shall call upon the other. But is the
District Collector who has the first place in the district. Moreover, as the District
Magistrate (D.C.) neither directs nor controls the police but expects the latter to
follow the aforesaid diktat.
6. Developmental Functions: The changing dynamics of the government work from that
of the provider to facilitator of services have brought about the advent of the concept
of welfare state. This conceptuality has drastically changed the connotation of the
work of the District Collector as today mostly all work of the incumbent office
revolves around the implications of socio-economic development of the community.
Thereafter, young and dynamic incumbents imbued with energy and enthusiasms are
considered as tools of change.
7. Democratic Decentralisation: The inception of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment
Act, 1992 has brought a paradigm shift in the work sphere of the office of District
Collector as the former has changed the dimensions of work and performance. The
office of the district administration acts as a link between the Panchayati Raj
administrators and the State whilst exercising the general and financial control over
various authorities under his jurisdiction.

8
 8. Development Administration: In a way, the new relationships forged overtime
pervade the whole of district administration also subsume new modes of
communication and lines of control and guidance, and at the same time, involve new
concepts of accountability and transparency. Due to rapid changes, these relationships
and administrative linkages cannot be depicted by the organizational chart of the
district administration. Now-a-days he has been called upon more often than not to
explain, convince, cajole and persuade people that matter especially the people’s
elected representative and seek their active cooperation and participation in the
execution of various programmes beamed at people concerning their welfare and
development.7
9. Miscellaneous Functions: Apart from the above mentioned spheres of functional
domain the District Collector has various miscellaneous functions. As a returning
officer he supervises elections to Parliamentary and Vidhan Sabha constituencies. As
a District Census Officer, he is responsible for the smooth conduction of census. As a
revenue collector he not only collects revenue but also ensures that the district does
not run shortage of supplies. He also chairs the Soldiers’ Defence Funds office, Public
Grievances Committee, etc. As a natural leader he also overviews various disasters
expected to hit the district.
In a nutshell, it is not just the incumbent of the office or the area of jurisdiction under the
supervision of the administrator but an amalgamation of his personal traits, leadership skills,
resources at his disposition couple by the coordination and cooperation between various
agencies that bring about a difference in the lives of the people through the tool of
community development.

6. ROLE OF THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR

As discussed earlier the role of the government has undergone a drastic change with the
advent of the concepts of welfare state, community development, people’s participation, etc.
so has the sphere of the District Collector and his office of profit. Being the chief executive
officer in the district he has the sole responsibility of the management and welfare of the
populace. In lieu of which it is his imperative to combine the components of the
administration to achieve the desired results. Thereafter, he delivers the above mentioned
functions.
7
Nagendra Ambedkar Sole (2014), “Changing Contours of District Collector in Local Governance in India”,
European Scientific Journal, November 2014, Vol.10, No. 32, ISSN:1857-7881

9
Though the office has a colonial legacy yet the roles of his predecessor has been significantly
different as now the focus of every functional domain of the district administrator has shifted
in the connotations of development of human and material resources whilst emancipation of
the society. One of the main features of the D.C. office is the management of the people in
the area of jurisdiction as stated by various thinkers the administrator is suppose to work with
the people and cannot afford to keep himself aloof from the problems of the area. Most
importantly, it is the availability of the people’s participation and willingness to cooperate
with him lest administration becomes a herculean task.
In practice, the role assigned to him varies from state to state as mentioned below:
1. In Tamil Nadu he is the Chairman of District Development Council.
2. In the States of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar he is entitled to attend the meetings of the
Panchayat Samiti and its standing committees but without a right to vote.
3. In Maharashtra and West Bengal he is kept out of the Zilla Parishad.
4. In Andhra Pradesh, he is not only the member of the Zilla Parishad but also the
Chairman of all the standing committees in whom executive authority is vested.
5. In the States of Assam, Punjab and Rajasthan, the Collector is a non-voting member
of the Zilla Parishad and he is associated in a purely advisory capacity.
6. The study conducted by the Task Force on Panchayat Raj reveals that except a few
States like Karnataka, Kerala and West Bengal, bureaucracy is a dominant partner in
decentralised governance.
It shows that there is an unconcealed reluctance to have his involvement in the decision-
making processes of rural democracy.8 Thus, the position of a District Magistrate is both
responsible and painstaking one. He is in fact the tortoise, as Ramsay MacDonald has put it,
on whose back stood the elephant of the government of India. As the works of the
government has become more and more complex and voluminous, the responsibility and
burden of the District Magistrate have increased no doubt, but he has lost much of his
prestige that he used to enjoy during the British period. In fact, after independence the status
and dignity of the District Magistrate has decreased much and nowadays he is no longer
considered as a high ranking bureaucrat, but has been reduced to the insignificant role of a
public servant merely.9

8
http://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/19124/1/Unit-17.pdf
9
Urvika Shah (2017), “Role and Power of District Magistrate in India”, Legal Desire,
https://legaldesire.com/role-power-district-magistrate-india/

10
 7. CASE STUDIES
It has been nearly 250 years in the pages of history, wherein, the office of the District
Collector was first created in India on May 14, 1772 by the East India Company. Thereupon,
the administrator is looked upon by the people as the saviour and the administration as
unobtrusive to its citizenry. District administration has occupied a centralised position in
Indian Administration with a simultaneous steady process of functional multiplicity and
corresponding institutional discrepancies. With nearly 725 districts in 29 states in the country
the district administration has appeared as a tool of change whilst donning the responsibility
of that of a catalyst, custodian, protector and watch dog of the stratum of the society in its
purview.10
In the ambit of the aforesaid, some scintillating and exemplary undertaken, amidst some
constraints, by the administrators are listed below:

1. The Local Government Experiment in Rajasthan: Though the three-tier government

started in India in 1992 but the State of Rajasthan was the first one to undergo this
experiment on October 2, 1952. The State became the torchbearer of democratic
decentralisation with the framework provided by the B.R.Mehta Committee to
strengthen local leadership and community participation.
2. Lakhina Experiment: Mr. Anil Kumar Lakhina, initiated the very famous ‘Lakhina
Pattern’, in Ahmedanagar, Maharashtra where he took upon a mammoth experiment
to increase responsive and accountable behaviour between the people and the public;
thus, making district administration more people-oriented and corruption-free.
3. Redefining Democratic Decentralisation: The experiment undertaken in Kerala in
1996 by the Left government was initiated to devolve the essence of democratic
decentralization and by augmenting the space for people’s action and public
participation; wherein, the State government decided the devolution of 35-40% of
funds. The local governments were given the right to use grant-in-aid, with mobilized
resources and formulation and implementation of local plans.

10
http://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/19124/1/Unit-17.pdf
10
Urvika Shah (2017), “Role and Power of District Magistrate in India”, Legal Desire,
https://legaldesire.com/role-power-district-magistrate-india/

11
In the era of globalisation, decentralisation is the countervailing trend and the role of the
district collector becomes more dynamic and crucial with respect to the changing trends
of the society, although, there are several constraints such as rationalisation of laws,
administrative procedures and systems are unkempt, negating political interference,
reluctance of the general will of the people, etc. The only way to learn and adapt is to
tailor make some examples with coupling of citizen and administration participation.

8. ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS COMMISSION

RECOMMENDATIONS

There has been a revolutionary evolution in the response of district administration

with the advent of the third tier of government in India. This has not only escalated
the status of the Local Government but has also widened the scope and approach as
adopted by the Union Government. In the light of these advancements some important
suggestions/ recommendation have been highlighted by the committee instituted for
the Second Administrative Reforms Commission with the prime observation being as
the States maximum beneficiary both in the devolution of funds and decentralisation
of powers to the local government structures. Thereby, in the light of the above
mentioned scope, the following recommendations have been proposed:
1. There is an urgent need and imperative to redesign the role District Collector /
Deputy Commissioner so that he can have a sincere concentration and focus on
his various functions in cooperation with the other officers.
2. In the ambit of the eleventh report on e-governance, the Commission emphasises
recommendations pertaining to the Land Title Management System, wherein, the
District Collector should consider the aforesaid task as the primary duty.
3. It is the era of transparency and accountability, whereby, it is essential to
strengthen the tool of RTI in the districts, also with a special Cell in the Office of
the District Collector; with him/ her supervising the functioning.
4. The posting of the incumbent in the office of the District Collector should be done
after an experience of 10-12 years of active service.
5. The State government should take special initiatives and endeavours to ensure that
the District Collector plays an effective role in the management of tasks and
activities.

12
 6. The technological advancements such as the Management Information System
(MIS) can be a boon to the upgradation of the office of the District Collector.
7. A District Grievance Cell and Vigilance Department should be set up, wherein,
the former can be instituted at the Collectorate while the latter can be under the
supervision of the D.C.
8. Lastly, a forum can be instated in the D.C. office to interact with the local
populace, especially the civil society groups and the media.
9. The most important task to be undertaken, here with, is to document the various
steps, initiatives and measures undertaken for the upgradation of the office of the
District Collector.

9. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS

In a nutshell, the District Collector enjoys a centralising authority in the administrative
hierarchy with immense power to decide judiciously, to secure and ensure a protective
environment, create an economic platform for the development of the people, generate a
source infrastructural development whilst ensuring holistic community development. A
positional authority enjoyed by the incumbent of the office which enjoys development
and involvement simultaneously with prerequisite of commitment, accountability,
leadership, intellect, ethical and moral standards, etc.
Despite several changes in the edifice of the administrative machinery it is the D.C. who
enjoys the position of that of the principal representative of the State government,
thereby, in the time of crisis his authority prevails over all other departments.
Thereby, the latest manifestations of the society have drastically changed the role of the
District Collector due to the introduction of new planning and developmental
programmes. Although, it has remained to be a hub of administrative activities of the
government yet the inception of democratic decentralisation has brought about drastic
changes. To conclude, in the words of S.S.Khera, “District administration is the total
functioning of the government”.

A few suggestions to improve the role of district collector as an administrator and a

representative of government are enlisted below:

13
 1. The administrators should be neutral, impartial and depoliticized in the discharge of
their duties and functions.
2. To refrain from any demoralization of the incumbent, the recruitment should not be
based on any influence, nepotism, favouritism with least political interference.
3. The recruiting agencies i.e. the State Public Service Commission, etc. should not be
involved in any binding or political interference.
4. There should be a consistent procedure of in-service training with segregation at
different phases to inculcate the habit of learning and yearning with the advent of
latest technological advancements.
5. Irrespective of the socio-economic background of the populace there should be a
consultation mechanism for the people to participate and consult actively in the
administrative decision-making.
6. To strengthen the role of the district collector efforts should be made to assign more
duties to him with reference to the supervision and coordination of activities of
various departments.
7. Also, certain secondary functions of the district collector should be distributed among
the other agencies to reduce the burden.
8. More emphasis should be given in decentralisation of power with least political
interference in the administrative activities.
9. The District Collectors should be trained to understand the rural perspective and
problems, hence, focus on development and identification of needs of the local
people.
10. Apart from being the government representative the District Collector must be trained
on the guidelines of being a people’s person.
With the multiplication of the activities of a Welfare State, the District Collector's role is in a
constant state of flux or change. The changing role of District Collector helps in making the
administration efficient. The gap between the people and administration is sufficiently
lowered down by frequent visit of the Collector to various areas of the district. This ensures a
healthy relation between government and the people. The District Collector not only gets an
insight into the grievances of the people but also provides wide publicity of the administrative
efforts to provide people with a happy and self-sufficing life. The District Collector acts as a

14
catalyst for coordination and removal of conflicts, contradictions and anomalies and as such
helps in strengthening development in the district.11

REFERENCES
1. E.A. Narayana and K. Anil Kumar (2014), “Organisation and Working of District
Rural Development Agency: A Case Study”, Journal of Rural Development, Vol.33
No. (2) pp 205-213, NIRD, Hyderabad
2. Sahib Singh and Swinder Singh (2008), “Public Administration- Development &
Local Administration”, pp 48-49
3. Nagendra Ambedkar Sole (2014), “Changing Contours of District Collector in Local
Governance in India”, European Scientific Journal, November 2014, Vol.10, No. 32,
ISSN:1857-7881
4. http://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/19124/1/Unit-17.pdf
5. Urvika Shah (2017), “Role and Power of District Magistrate in India”, Legal Desire,
https://legaldesire.com/role-power-district-magistrate-india/
6. http://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/19124/1/Unit-17.pdf
7. https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/121460/13/13_chapter%207.pdf
8. K.N. Harilal (2006), “Redesigning Local Governance in India: Lessons from the
Kerala Experiment”, Foundations for local governance, pp 75-92,
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-7908-2006-5_4
9. Ashok Mukhopodhyay, “Changing Role of the District Magistrate”, Indian Journal of
Public Administration, Indian institute of Public Administration, New Delhi, Vol.
XLIII, No. 3, July-Sept., 1997, p. 699
10. Ramesh K. Arora and Rajini Goyal, Indian Public Administration: Institutions and
Issues, Wishwa Prakashan, New Delhi, 1995, p. 243.
11. S.N. Mishra, “The District Collector: The Changing Role”, Development Policies and
Administration in India, Uppal Publishing House, New Delhi, 2000, pp. 287-288.
12. Edwin Eames and Saran Parmatma, District Administration in India, Vikas
Publications, Delhi, 1989, p. 177
13. https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/50439/8/08_chapter%201.pdf

11
https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/121460/13/13_chapter%207.pdf

15
COMPONENT IV

QUESTIONS
1. How is the ‘district’ the central unit of local administration?
2. Throw light on the historical evolution of the office of District Collector.
3. What are the problems faced by the administrator in the discharge of his functions
with reference to law and order management?
4. How has the role of a District Collector evolved with the inception of welfare state?

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. Which Article of the Constitution of India explains the word ‘district’
a. Article 112
b. Article 128
c. Article 233
d. Article 243
Ans: C

2. Who introduced the office of District Collector in India

a. Lord Warren Hastings
b. Lord Macaulay
c. East India Company
d. Both a and c
Ans: D

3. Which Indian State experienced the experiment of democratic decentralisation?

a. Maharashtra
b. Kerala
c. Madhya Pradesh
d. Rajasthan
Ans: D
4. Which Indian states have kept the District Collector out of the Zila Parishad?
a. Punjab and Haryana
b. Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh

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 c. West Bengal and Maharashtra
d. Jammu and Kashmir
Ans: C

5. The prime objective of the Lakhina Experiment was.....

a. Accountable and Corruption free administration
b. Transparency and accountability
c. Introduction of ICT in governance
d. People’s participation
Ans: A

COMPONENT V
GLOSSARY
1. District: It is the basic unit of field administration, wherein, each district in itself is a
complete administrative whole. Thus, can be defined as a territory marked off for
special administrative purposes.
2. Democratic Decentralisation: The transfer of powers to the third tier of government
with the inception of 73rd -74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.
3. District Collector: Chief Executive Officer in a district aka District Magistrate or
Deputy Commissioner, who is given the charge to disperse certain functions and
duties to manage the district with the aim of holistic development of its people.
4. Lakhani Experiment: A mammoth experiment undertaken by the IAS officer Mr.
Anil Kumar in Ahmednagar (1982), Maharashtra to ensure accountable and
corruption free governance.

FURTHER READINGS
1. Bandhopadyaya D (1997) People’s Participation in Planning: Kerala Experiment.
Economic and Political Weekly, 27 September:2450–54
2. Dreaze J, Sen A (eds) (1996) Indian Development: Selected Regional
Perspectives. Oxford University Press, New Delhi
3. Rehman K, Rehman MM (1998) Participation in Rural Development.
International Labour Office, Geneva

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4. M.A. Oommen (2018), “Local Democracy in Disarray”, The Hindu
5. R.K. Radhakrishnan (2016), “Twenty Years of Empowered local bodies in India:
Time for course corrections”, The Hindu
6. Prabhu Datta Sharma (1968), “Decision Making in Panchayati Raj(Rural Local
Government in Rajasthan in India): The Rajasthan Experiment
7. https://www.pressreader.com

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