The collector of the district magistrate is the senior official of the district. He generally holds the position of deputy commissioner of Police. He is responsible for the maintenance of the law and order situation of his area. He is like a guardian of the district that is allotted to him and his shoulders.
He has the responsibility of managing the officers of the district. He has to do this within the confines of the power given to him by the constitution. And also he has to keep in mind the budget allocated for that particular district. A district magistrate is looked upon by the people as a respectable and honorable person.
He works under the chief of that state that is chief minister, so, his hands are actually tied. He has to do as the chief minister instructs him to. He cannot go against the orders of Chief Minister to give execution to his own free will.
A district magistrate is supposed to look into the matters of peace and harmony. Nothing should disturb the morality of his district. He should keep his eyes and ears open for any kind of untoward happenings in his area. He should remain on a lookout for nefarious activities like terrorism and smuggling.
He should also keep a check on other malpractices also. It is impossible for a district to develop if there is no peace and order in the city. Thus, a district magistrate plays a very important role in the development of society. He keeps the unethical elements away from it.
District magistrate is so influential that the complete department is bound to his orders. His orders are non-negotiable and one cannot deny it’s completion. Each official senior or junior has to listen to his orders. He has the last say in executing any law. This is because he is the exercising official.
He sees and checks the implementation of laws in the district. He has the official power to use force or open fire if the situation of crisis arises. He can do this only when there is no way left to tackle the problem. Use of force is done in very less cases but when the collector is left with no other alternatives, he can do so. Also, the administration of police is regulated and controlled by the collector.
The district magistrate is known as the collector of an area for a reason. He is the head revenue collector. His priority task is to access and measure land revenue and accordingly collects it. His office is the in charge of collection of various types of taxes also. These taxes are charged on various goods, services, properties and activities or assets.
Some of these taxes like irrigation dues, income tax, agricultural tax, court fees are collected by his department. Also, the collector is responsible for measuring the magnitude of a natural calamity if it affects his area. He should also measure its monetary impact on the lives.
It is the duty to undertake relief work with his department for all such calamities. Also, he acquires land for the government use. It is his responsibility to see to the preparation and maintenance of land records. He is held responsible for the finances of his district. All the officers related to treasury come across under his powers and supervisions.
The district manager is responsible of every official activity that is undertaken. He is the main coordinator of all the government department working in his area. To name some of these departments, we may start with health, agriculture, education and public works also. He cooperates with all departments, voices his opinions and transmits messages.
He does this so that all the departments can work in harmony with each other. This also entails efficiency in operations and there is no repetition of work. He is the commander in whose hands lay the reins of cooperation. Without his involvement, no development can take place.
He is responsible for chairing the meetings as the head of the various departments. He takes the account of the work done by all the departments. He also makes sure that the funds allocated are being used efficiently.
He suggests them changes in their plans, helps them remove hurdles and deals problems. He also raises confidence among his subordinates. He has the duty of guiding the functionaries working in the district.
Also, a district magistrate is expected to undertake development projects in his district. He does so to raise the standard of living of his district. His development projects should aim at alleviating poverty and crime in his district.
The district magistrate supervises several schemes of development such as health, education, women empowerment, unemployment, housing and agriculture. Also, he oversees the implementation of the various schemes launched by the government.
He is also required to undertake rescue operations in times of natural calamities. His efficiency and effectiveness is under scrutiny under times of such crisis. He is judged on the basis of prompt decision making and alertness. He acts as a crisis manger and the messiah of all those he helps.
During times of emergencies such as natural calamities or manmade crisis, his skills are part to the ultimate test. He is in charge of controlling the situation and minimizing it’s after affects.
He organizes relief operations; keep a tab on the spreading epidemics, ensuring medical treatment to the injured people, and also to keep the panic spreading in the people under control. He also plays host to several other important operations. He does this to restore the normalcy back in the lives of the people.
The responsibilities and duties of a district magistrate are dynamic in nature. They are not confined to what is written on a paper.
They play a crucial role in managing their district, also it is to be noted that the district magistrates are public servants and they work for the good of people. They are individuals of high intellect and strength and they are respected by all people for their powers.
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