Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The District Collector, as the chief representative of the state government at the district level, is a pivotal figure in Indian administration. They are responsible for a wide array of functions – revenue administration, maintenance of law and order, disaster management, implementation of development programs, and coordination of various government departments. However, the increasing population, complex socio-economic issues, and expanding administrative responsibilities have led to a significant workload for collectors, raising concerns about their effectiveness. The proposition that reducing the geographical size of districts will alleviate this burden warrants a detailed examination.
The Burden on District Collectors
Collectors are often overburdened due to several factors:
- Large Geographical Area: Many districts in India are vast, making it difficult to effectively monitor and administer all areas.
- Increasing Population Density: Higher population leads to more grievances, disputes, and demands on administrative services.
- Multiplicity of Functions: Collectors juggle numerous responsibilities, often lacking specialized expertise in all areas.
- Staff Shortages: Many districts face shortages of administrative staff, further increasing the workload on the collector.
- Political Interference: Frequent transfers and political pressures can disrupt administrative efficiency.
Arguments in Favor of Smaller Districts
Reducing the size of districts can offer several benefits:
- Improved Accessibility: Smaller districts bring the administration closer to the people, enhancing accessibility and responsiveness.
- Enhanced Monitoring: A smaller area allows for more effective monitoring of development programs and better enforcement of regulations.
- Reduced Travel Time: Collectors can spend more time on administrative work and less on travelling across the district.
- Better Coordination: Easier coordination with local officials and stakeholders.
- Specialized Focus: Smaller districts can potentially focus on specific developmental challenges relevant to their region.
Potential Drawbacks and Challenges
However, simply reducing the size of districts is not a panacea and presents certain challenges:
- Administrative Costs: Creating new districts increases administrative costs – establishing new offices, recruiting staff, and maintaining infrastructure.
- Duplication of Efforts: Fragmentation can lead to duplication of efforts and a lack of synergy between districts.
- Loss of Economies of Scale: Larger districts benefit from economies of scale in certain administrative functions.
- Inter-District Disputes: Smaller districts may be more prone to inter-district disputes over resources and jurisdiction.
- Need for Complementary Reforms: Reducing district size alone won't solve the problem if accompanied by staff shortages, lack of capacity building, and inadequate infrastructure.
Examples and Recent Developments
Several states have undertaken district reorganization in recent years. For example, Telangana significantly increased the number of districts from 10 to 33 in 2016, aiming to improve administrative efficiency. Similarly, Andhra Pradesh also reorganized its districts. However, the effectiveness of these reorganizations is still being evaluated. The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2008) also recommended rationalization of district boundaries and creation of smaller, more manageable districts.
| Aspect | Larger Districts | Smaller Districts |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Accessibility | Lower | Higher |
| Monitoring Efficiency | Lower | Higher |
| Coordination | More Complex | Easier |
Conclusion
While reducing the geographical size of districts can potentially alleviate the burden on collectors by improving accessibility and monitoring, it is not a standalone solution. The success of such a move hinges on complementary reforms such as adequate staffing, capacity building, infrastructure development, and effective coordination mechanisms. A holistic approach, considering the specific socio-economic context of each state, is crucial for optimizing district administration and ensuring effective governance. Simply creating more districts without addressing underlying systemic issues may lead to increased administrative costs and limited improvements in service delivery.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.