The official responsible for maintaining land records.
Explanation
Rural administration in India is divided into specific departments to handle governance effectively. The Revenue Department is responsible for maintaining land records, collecting land revenue, and resolving land disputes. This administrative hierarchy is distinct from the elected Panchayati Raj institutions.
Option Analysis:
- The elected head of the Gram Panchayat. is Incorrect: The elected head of the Gram Panchayat is typically called the Sarpanch, Pradhan, or Mukhiya. This is a political position within the Panchayati Raj system, not a permanent administrative post.
- The officer in charge of the police station. is Incorrect: The officer in charge of a police station is known as the Station House Officer (SHO). Their primary function is the maintenance of law and order, not land revenue.
- The official responsible for maintaining land records. is Correct: The Kanungo (also known as the Revenue Inspector) is a permanent employee of the Revenue Department. Their primary function is to supervise the work of Patwaris (also called Lekhpals or Village Accountants). The Kanungo inspects land records, verifies measurements, and ensures that the Patwari maintains accurate data regarding land ownership and crops.
- The judicial officer at the district court. is Incorrect: The judicial officer at the district court is a District Judge or Magistrate. While revenue officers (like Tehsildars) have some quasi-judicial powers regarding land disputes, the term Kanungo specifically refers to the revenue record supervisor, not a judicial officer in court.
Key Takeaway:
The hierarchy of rural revenue officials generally follows this order: Patwari (Village Level) → Kanungo (Circle/Supervisory Level) → Tehsildar (Taluka Level) → District Collector (District Level).