Chapter-9 - Government of Karnataka

Administration and Revenue 555he is. His functions consist of collection of land revenue, preparation of cropregister, preparation of inquests or affidavits, issue of demand notices, etc. Healso supplies copies of records under his custody to the villagers on request. Heacts as the secretary of the Gram Panchayat. Besides, he carries out the directionsof the Block Development Officer in regard to developmental schemes.However, there is no uniformity in this kind of arrangements. The VillageAccountant is responsible for executing the resolutions of the Gram Panchayat.Unlike the hereditary Kulkarni or Shanubhogue of former days, the VillageAccountant receives a fixed salary from Government as per service rules. TheManual or Handbook of Village Accountant contains instructions and directionsaccording to which he is to discharce his duties and responsibilities.Gram SahayaksIn former days the village officers like the Patel, Shanubhogue or Kulkarnihad the assistance of menial servants known as talavary, toty and olekara(messenger), etc. Their place is now taken by a class of servants called GramSahayaks. The Village Assistant works as the messenger of the Village Accountantand also carries records, land measurement chains and other baggage.Religious and Charitable InstitutionsPrevious to the reorganisation of states in 1956, there were different actsin force in different states or provinces which governed the religious andcharitable institutions located in them. These acts have continued to be in forcein the respective areas even after the Reorganisation of states in 1956. Accordingto Article 3 of the Mysore Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1927,which is being followed in the Mandya district, Deputy Commissioner happensto be the Muzrai Officer and he is responsible for implementing its provisions.He is the controlling officer of all the Muzrai Institutions in the district. Heruns their administration with the assistance of the Sub-Divisional officer or theTahsildar. As the Muzrai Officer of the district, the Deputy Commissioner isvested with the following powers:1. Appointment of priests for conducting regular worship in the temples.2. To file suits on behalf of Muzrai institutions under his charge.3. To conduct inquiries about allegations, etc., concerning Muzrai institutionsor its authorities. This power is now vested in the AssistantCommissioner concerned.4. Taking over the management of a Muzrai institution on grounds ofmismanagement.5. Appointment of Dharmadarshis.