Chapter-9 - Government of Karnataka

550 Mandya District Gazetteersituations the Deputy Commissioner co-ordinates the activities of variousdepartments and takes suitable measures to provide relief to the affectedpopulation and minimize their sufferings.As the chief representative of the Government in the district, the DeputyCommissioner endeavours to implement the small savings scheme. He alsofunctions as the Deputy Development Commissioner and inspects the developmentprogrammes in the district. He also acts as Chairman, District CoordinationCommittee of Officers; Chairman, District Regional Transport Authority;Chairman, District Family Planning Scheme; and Chairman, DistrictDevelopment Council. He is also the head of the District Treasury.Revenue FunctionsThe assessment on land is generally of three kinds: 1) agriculturalassessment; 2) non-agricultural assessment; and 3) miscellaneous. The regularand timely collection and account of all such revenues vests with the DeputyCommissioner. He is vested with sweeping powers under the Land RevenueAct and Rules in respect of water rates and irrigation, etc. Besides the dutiesrelating to the administration of land revenue, the Deputy Commissioner ispermitted to exercise various powers under several Acts and Rules like theLand Reforms Act, Land Acquisition Act, Religious and Charitable endowmentsAct, Irrigation Act, Excise Act, Public Health Act, Distribution ofEssential Commodities Act, the Old Age Pension Rules and the FreedomFighters Welfare Rules, etc. While adjudicating on revenue cases, he has tofunction as a Quasi-Judicial officer. All the muzrai institutions of the districtare subject to his control.Judicial FunctionsIn his capacity as the District Magistrate (DM) the Deputy Commissioneris responsible for the maintenance of law and order in the district. Consequenton the separation of the judicial and revenue functions, the District Magistrateis prevented from dispensing justice in the trial process. However, by virtue ofbeing the executive magistrate in the district he enjoys extensive powers underthe Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.PC) and the Karnataka Police Act inconnection with the maintenance of Law and Order. As the District Magistrate,he is allowed under certain circumstances, when the public peace isseverely threatened, to exercise control over the district police force. He alsoexercises supervisory power over the administration of Jails and Lockupswithin the district. The Deputy Commissioner is empowered to resort to laws