The correct option is (b) 2, 3 and 4 only.
Explanation
In the administrative structure of a district, the Revenue Department and the Police Department have distinct primary mandates. The Revenue Department, headed by the District Collector (at the district level) and comprising officers like the Tehsildar and Patwari, is primarily responsible for land administration and general administrative certification.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The maintenance of law and order is the primary responsibility of the Police Department. While Revenue officers (as Executive Magistrates) have certain powers related to public order, the direct enforcement and maintenance of law and order is the domain of the police force.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The collection of land revenue is a traditional and fundamental duty of Revenue Department officers, specifically the Village Administrative Officer (Patwari/Lekhpal) and the Tehsildar.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Revenue Department officers, typically of the rank of Tehsildar or Deputy Tehsildar, are the competent authorities empowered to issue various official documents, including caste certificates, income certificates, and domicile certificates.
- Statement 4 is Correct: The supervision, maintenance, and updating of land records (such as records of rights, tenancy, and crop inspection) is the core function of the Revenue Department hierarchy, from the Patwari to the District Collector.
Key Takeaway:
The Revenue Department is primarily tasked with land revenue collection, maintenance of land records, and issuance of administrative certificates, whereas the Police Department is responsible for the maintenance of law and order.