Small and Sincere Steps with Requisite Results - 5

Collector Sagar

A reading of medieval India esp. Moghul history is quite interesting from the point of view of uniting India, developing gigantic structures with good architecture and everlasting features. Known for systematic arrangement of land records and revenue collection to support the army and general administration of the kingdom, the Moghuls had ruled this nation for about two hundred years. In between a famous ruler named Sher Shah from Suri dynasty happened to snatch power from Humayun , the second ruler in Moghul  dynasty and ruled north India for about four years only, before Akbar the Great regained the kingdom after defeating Sher Shah in a decisive battle. Sher Shah, a shining star in between was known for his extraordinary capacity in effecting reforms in administration, army etc. I am fascinated by his rule, style and skills in administering the territory under his control. Sasaaram was his capital. Sagar sounding like Sasaram became my headquarters of administration both as collector and commissioner for about five years and two months in the State of Madhya Pradesh.

I joined as collector Sagar on June 13, 1979. I did it on 13th deliberately to prove that number 13 was not an unlucky one at least in my case. Some of my seniors in the  neighbouring small districts were waiting for a bigger charge with a special pay of about Rs.200 extra, but I got a bigger district little early, thanks to the correct evaluation of the then head of the government, namely, the chief minister Mr.Virendra Saklecha on the ability and commitment of the officers posted as collectors in the districts.

Camp approach in district administration was my favourite idea. I drew inspiration from the British officers who made regular and systematic tours in the interior pockets of the districts to solve the problems of peasants and villagers, and to ensure land revenue collection, maintenance of law and order, correction of land records etc. Rural India was my preferred destination for systematic and result-oriented hard work  while in government service. I believed in sincere and genuine touring of rural pockets under my charge wherever I was posted. Sagar provided me a golden opportunity to test my skills as an administrator and give immense amount of job satisfaction for which I truly joined Indian Administrative Service.

Apart from ensuring punctual attendance in the collector's office from my side and disposing of files emanating from various sections of the office by sitting late in the night hours and early hours of the morning not only on working days but during holidays too. All the Demi-official letters and the dak addressed to me by name as the collector were opened by me or in my presence so that the persons requiring my personal attention would fail not in their attempt but get the desired action at the earliest from my desk.

Access to the general public esp. from the lower strata of society whether urban or rural was my immediate concern. A specific time was allocated every day in HQrs for hearing public grievances without fail. Any one could walk into my court or the chamber during that hour/ hours without the interference of the peon on duty at the entrance. As and when possible the petitions were received, perused personally and action taken in their presence by calling the concerned officers or the staff on that very day or at a subsequent date finally. Even outside this timing any villager could come to my residence at any time and meet me for any emergency work or talk to me over phone from anywhere in the district.

All the meetings of different types to be presided over by the collector were scheduled and conducted on Wednesdays only so that I could focus on the district revenue and magisterial court on Tuesdays. Thursdays and Fridays were exclusively kept for the touring in different Tahsils and Development Blocks of the district.

Interior touring was planned well in advance and two sets of three tents in each were moved from place to place so that the collector could stay for one night and two days ensuring two camps minimum in the corners of each revenue inspector circle (21 circles in the district). An article titled "Camp Approach in District administration" was written by me and got published in the quarterly journal of Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi in June 1983 which illustrates the type of work transacted during such camps in the interest of villagers and farmers of the district. The said article is reproduced below for perusal.