Chapter 6: Rural Administration

A Quarrel In The Village

Rural life involves managing essential needs like water and electricity, but also maintaining land records and resolving conflicts. This chapter explores the administrative machinery that handles these tasks, focusing on the roles of the police and the revenue department through the story of a village dispute.

The Land Dispute between Mohan and Raghu

The story begins with Mohan, a farmer with a small plot of land. He discovers that his neighbor, Raghu, has shifted the bund (a small boundary mound) between their fields by a few feet, effectively encroaching upon Mohan's land to increase his own. Mohan, though intimidated by Raghu's influential family (his uncle is the village Sarpanch), decides to confront him.

The confrontation escalates quickly. Raghu denies the accusation and, with his helpers, assaults Mohan. Neighbors intervene and rescue Mohan, who is badly injured. This incident sets the stage for Mohan's interaction with the rural administrative system.

The Decision to Involve the Police

After receiving first aid, Mohan's friend, the village postmaster, advises him to file a police report. However, the villagers are divided. Some fear it would be a waste of money and that Raghu's family, with their influence, might have already swayed the police. Despite the doubts, Mohan and some neighbors who witnessed the assault decide to proceed to the police station.

Area Of The Police Station

A crucial aspect of police administration is jurisdiction. Every police station has a specific geographical area under its control. Any crime or incident, such as a theft, accident, or fight, must be reported to the police station that has jurisdiction over the location where the event occurred.

This is why Mohan could not simply go to a larger police station in the main town. His village falls within the operational area of the local police station, making it the only place where he could legally register his case. The police of that station are responsible for investigating all incidents within their designated area.

The Work At The Police Station

Upon reaching the police station, Mohan's experience highlights some common challenges citizens face. Mohan approached the person in charge, known as the Station House Officer (S.H.O.), to file a written complaint.

Initially, the S.H.O. was dismissive and rude, refusing to waste time on what he considered a "minor" complaint. He did not believe Mohan even after seeing his injuries. It was only when Mohan's neighbors, who were eyewitnesses, came in and strongly insisted that the case be registered that the officer finally relented. They corroborated Mohan's story and emphasized the seriousness of the assault.

The officer then agreed to formally register the case. This formal written complaint is known as a First Information Report (F.I.R.). It is a crucial document that sets the process of police investigation in motion. The S.H.O. instructed Mohan to write down his complaint and assured him that a constable would be sent to investigate the incident the next day.

The primary functions of the police include:

• Maintaining law and order.
• Preventing and investigating crime.
• Registering cases (F.I.R.s) for incidents within their jurisdiction.
• Taking action against offenders according to the law.

Maintenance Of Land Records

The dispute between Mohan and Raghu over their field boundary highlights the need for accurate land records. The peaceful resolution of such conflicts depends on an official system for measuring land and recording ownership. This is the primary responsibility of the government's revenue department.

The Role of the Patwari

The key official at the village level for land-related matters is the Patwari. This official is known by various names in different states, such as Lekhpal, Kanungo, or Village Officer. Each Patwari is in charge of a group of villages.

The main duties of a Patwari are:

• Measuring Land: Using tools like a long chain to measure agricultural fields.
• Maintaining and Updating Land Records: Keeping a detailed map and a corresponding register (often called the Khasra) that shows who owns which plot of land.
• Organizing Land Revenue Collection: The Patwari is responsible for organizing the collection of land revenue from farmers.
• Providing Government Information: Reporting to the government about the crops grown in the area, a well being dug, or any other changes. This information is vital for government planning.

Below is an example of a Khasra record, which details land ownership and usage.

In the case of Mohan and Raghu, the Patwari would measure both fields and compare the measurements with the official map. Any discrepancy would clearly show if the boundary had been moved.

The Administrative Hierarchy

The Patwari's work is supervised by senior officials within the revenue department. The administrative structure is as follows:

• States are divided into Districts.
• Districts are further sub-divided into Tehsils or Talukas.
• The revenue officer at the Tehsil level is the Tehsildar. Their role includes supervising the work of all Patwaris, hearing land disputes, ensuring records are properly maintained, and collecting land revenue. The Tehsildar's office is also where people obtain important documents like caste certificates.
• The head of the entire district administration is the District Collector.

A New Law: Ensuring Gender Equality in Land Inheritance

Historically, in many parts of India, agricultural land ownership was patriarchal. Women worked on the fields but did not own them. After a father's death, his property was typically divided only among his sons, leaving daughters and wives without a share in the family's primary asset.

The Hindu Succession Amendment Act, 2005

To address this deep-seated discrimination, the law was changed. The Hindu Succession Amendment Act, 2005 is a landmark piece of legislation that ensures gender equality in property inheritance within Hindu families.

Key provisions of the new law:

• It grants equal rights to daughters in inheriting ancestral property, alongside sons.
• The law gives the mother, sons, and daughters an equal share in the family's land and property.
• This law applies uniformly to all states and union territories of India.

This legal reform has been instrumental in empowering a large number of women. It provides them with economic security and a recognized stake in their family's assets, ensuring that they are not left dependent or vulnerable, especially in times of need.

Other Public Services - A Survey

Rural administration is not limited to law enforcement and land records. Various government departments provide a wide range of public services and facilities to meet the needs of the rural population. These services must function according to the laws framed for them.

Some of the key public services found in villages include:

• The Milk Society or Dairy Cooperative
• The Fair Price Shop (Ration Shop) for subsidized food grains
• Banks
• The Agricultural Society for seeds and fertilizers
• The Post Office
• Anganwadi (Childcare Centre)
• Government Schools
• Health Centres or Government Hospitals

Below is an example of how one might survey and assess the functioning of these services.