Divisional Commissioner

Divisional Commissioner Hindi: मंडल आयुक्त is the administrative head of a division. The Divisional Commissioner is a senior I.A.S. officer. A Divisional Commissioner has been given the direct responsibility of supervising the revenue and development administration of a division. Officers at this post are transferred and promoted by State Governments. The role of a Divisional Commissioner's office is to act as the supervisory head of all the Government Offices (except the central government offices) situated in the division. This post is equivalent to Joint Secretary to Government of India. This post exists in many states of India. Divisional Commissioner is responsible for administration and planned development of the districts under his control and also act as "Appeal Adalat" for revenue cases. In states like U.P., Divisional Commissioner have powers over Inspector General of Police and Deputy Inspector General of Police whereas in states like Maharashtra, Divisional Commissioner only enjoys revenue powers.

History of Divisional Commissioner

The Division as an administrative level came into being in 1829 as a result of increase in scope of operations corresponding to the expansion of British Territories.Each division was put under the charge of a Divisional Commissioner. This post was created by then the Bengal Government.

Divisions

A division generally covers 3-5 districts each headed by a District Magistrate/District Collector/Deputy Commissioner, the number varying from state to state and from division to division within a state itself.

Powers of Divisional Commissioner

• Acts as Appellate Authority on decisions of various departments of division.
• Control over revenue administration and holds revenue courts.
• Maintenance of law and order
• Ensure proper and effective co-ordination among the various organizations of the Government and public.
• Supervise, guide and control the various offices in the division.
• Supervision of the development functions such as poverty alleviation, civil supplies, employment generation, drinking water, primary health, primary education and development of infrastructure, etc.
• Coordination and supervision over the all the departments. of the division.
• Control over local govt.
• Financial control over preparation of budget of Development Authorities, M7nicipal Corporations/Councils and other departments.
• Writing of annual confidential reports of most of officers who are head of a department in Divisonal or District level.
• Consolidation of various statistics for the division.
• Acts as Chairman of all development authorities in divisions.

Role of Divisional Commissioner

1. A channel of communication between the districts and state govt.
2. Regional coordinating authority for technical departments.
3. Provides help, guide and assistance to Deputy Commissioner
4. Provides expert advice to headquarters

A Divisional Commissioner is assisted by some officers for carrying out day-to-day work in various fields:-

1. Joint Development Commissioner(JDC)
2. Additional Commissioners(Judicial), (Industries), (Administration), (Excise), (Labor), (Rural Development),Regional Food Controller(R.F.C)
3. Joint Director (Education), (Agriculture), (Tourism)
4. I.A.S or state civil services officers at district level reports only when needed