The Gazetteers Department

Tahsildars and the Naib-Tahsildars.-Each tahsil is in charge of a Tahsildar. He is the officer in executive charge of the tahsil. Further each tahsil has been divided into revenue circles each in charge of a Revenue Inspector. Talathis are appointed for halkas and each halka contains on an average three to four villages depending upon the size of each village.

Revenue.-The Tahsildar's revenue duties are to enquire and report on cases under various sections of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code and other Acts to the higher officers who have powers to dispose of the matters. There are certain powers under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code vested in the Tahsildars under which they themselves can dispose of certain matters.

In regard to the annual demand and collection of land revenue, the Tahsildar has to prepare the jamabandi for the tahsil. The demand for fixed agricultural revenue as well as the non-agri-cultural demand is also settled. There are remissions and suspen-sions to be calculated upon the fixed demand in lean years. Remissions and suspensions are given in accordance with the crop annewari with the determination of which the Tahsildar is most intimately concerned. To the demand for fixed revenue is added the amount of non-agricultural assessment and fluctuating land revenue, such as that arising from the sale of trees, stones, sand, melon beds, etc., when the individuals apply for them.

The Tahsildar has also to supervise and inspect the work of collection of land revenue, tagai clues and other dues recoverable as arrears of land revenue. He can issue notices, impose fines, distrain and sell moveable and immoveable property under the provisions of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code. In short, he is to follow the procedure laid down in various sections of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code and the Rules thereunder.

It is the duty of the Tahsildar to see that there is no breach of any of the conditions of the lease or any irregularities or encroach-ments upon Government land and to take immediate cognizance of the same, if there is any.

Applications for grant of tagai are received by the Tahsildar who enquires into them through the talathis and inspects the sites for the improvement of which tagai is sought, ascertains whether the security offered is sufficient, determines what instalments for repayment would be suitable, etc. These applications are put before the Tagai Advisory Committee for advice. The final orders regarding the grant of amount of tagai are passed by the Tahsildar or Naib-tahsildar as the case may be. Under the provisions of the Agriculturists' Loans Act and the Land Improvement Loans Act, there are certain limits up to which the Tahsildar himself can grant the loan. If the granting of the loan is not within his powers he enquires into the case thoroughly and submits his report in the case for the orders of the Sub-Divisional Officer or the Collector, whoever is competent to pass final orders regarding grant of the loan. The Tahsildar's duties regarding tagai do not end with the granting of it. He has to see that the loan in question is properly utilised, to inspect the work undertaken with it, to watch the payment and to make recoveries from the defaulters. He is primarily responsible for the administration of the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act (LXVII of 1948), within the area under his charge.

Additional Tahsildars and Naib-tahsildars have been appointed for each taluka for the work in connection with the implementa-tion of the tenancy law. The Tahsildars are in overall charge of the taluka administration and are not in any way concerned with matters coming under the purview of the Tenancy law for which Additional Tahsildars and Naib-tahsildars are appointed.

Quasi-judicial.-In his capacity as a tahsil officer the Tahsildar has to perform multifarious duties. He is also to enquire in respect of disputed cases in connection with the record-of-rights in each village. The matters which the Tahsildar has to enquire into are registered under appropriate heads mentioned in the revenue book circulars.

Magisterial.-Tahsildar and Naib-tahsildars are appointed as Taluka Magistrates. They deal with cases under section 107 of Criminal Procedure Code from various Police stations allotted to them. They keep Sub-Divisional Magistrates informed of activi-ties in their charge and take steps incidental to the maintenance of law and order with the aid of Police.

Treasury and Accounts.-Separation of sub-treasuries from revenue cadre at taluka-level has come into force in this district. Before the separation of the sub-treasuries from the Revenue Department, the sub-treasuries were under the control of the Tahsildars and one of the Naib-tahsildars was designated as Sub-Treasury Officer. After the separation, the Sub-Treasury Officer became a member of the cadre of treasury establishment and functions independently. The sub-treasuries are under the administrative control of the Finance department. At all the tahsil headquarters official cash business has been taken over by the State Bank of India.

Other administrative duties.-In addition to the duties mention-ed above, the Tahsildar is responsible to the Collector and Sub-Divisional Officer who are to be kept constantly informed of all political happenings, outbreak of epidemics and other matters. He generally helps or guides the officers of other departments in the execution of their respective duties in so far as his tahsil is concerned. He is responsible for holding the cattle census. The Tahsildar is also expected to propagate co-operative principles in his tahsil. The Tahsildar's position in relation to the tahsil officers of other departments, e.g., the Station Officers of the Police, the Sub-Registrar, the Range Forest Officer, Medical Officer, Post Master, etc., is not definable. Though they are not subordinate to him they are grouped round him and are expected to help and co-operate with him in their respective spheres.

Though the Tahsildar is not expected to work directly for local bodies he is usually the principal source of the Collector's information about them.

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