The Tehsildar
Explanation
Revenue Administration Hierarchy
The revenue administration in India is structured hierarchically to manage land records, collect land revenue, and adjudicate land-related disputes. Specific officers are appointed at the District, Sub-division, and Tehsil levels to oversee these functions.
Analysis of Options:
- The District Judge The District Judge: Incorrect. The District Judge is the head of the judicial administration in a district, responsible for civil and criminal justice. They do not supervise revenue officials like the Patwari.
- The Tehsildar The Tehsildar: Correct. The Tehsildar is the Revenue Officer in charge of a Tehsil (or Taluka). Their primary responsibilities include supervising the work of the Patwari (Village Accountant), ensuring that land records are properly maintained, and overseeing the collection of land revenue. They also adjudicate land disputes at the local level.
- The Station House Officer The Station House Officer (SHO): Incorrect. The SHO is the officer in charge of a police station, responsible for maintaining law and order and investigating crimes, unrelated to land revenue administration.
- The Block Development Officer The Block Development Officer (BDO): Incorrect. The BDO is the administrative head of a Development Block, focusing on the implementation of rural development schemes and Panchayati Raj functions, rather than revenue collection.
Key Takeaway:
The Tehsildar is the key revenue official at the sub-district level who supervises the Patwari to ensure accurate maintenance of land records and efficient collection of land revenue.