The Gazetteers Department

The Bombay Inferior Village Watans Abolition Act, 1958, was brought into force in the district from February 1, 1962. The system of hereditary inferior village servants now no longer exists and their place is taken by stipendiary kotwals. One kotwal is appointed for a village with a population up to 500 souls. He is paid Rs. 20 per month. For the villages with population between 500 and 2,000 souls and with a population of more than 2,000 souls two and three kotwals are appointed, respectively. They are paid Rs. 30 per month.

He has to perform the following duties:—

1. to accompany government remittances to sub-treasuries,

2. to call the villagers to the chawdi for paying government dues and to remain present at the chawdi at the time of collection of land revenue,

3. to keep a watch on government money and office records,

4. to carry me village daftar to and from the tahsil office

5. to carry Government tapal to and from the tahsil office,

6. to accompany village officers and touring officers at the time of crop and boundary marks inspections,

7. to summon persona on whom notices are to be served and to assist the police patil in serving summons,

8. to collect information about births and deaths,

9. to accompany the police patil and the police at the time of night round,

10. to announce Government orders in the village by beating the drum,

11. to assist the vaccinator in his work of vaccination,

12. to help the police patil in the case of accidental deaths and fire and outbreaks of epidemic diseases,

13. to report movements of criminals and to assist the police in the investigation and prevention of crimes,

14. to keep guard on prisoners in the police patil's custody.

15. to assist the village officers at the time of recovery of land revenue, and

16. to render assistance to Government officers on duty in the village.