All divisional commissioners’ offices abolished in Assam

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam Government re-designated the post of "Deputy Commissioner" as "District Commissioner" and abolished all offices of "divisional commissioners" with immediate effect for administrative expediency and convenience. The GAD (General Administration Department) issued two separate notifications to this effect today with approval from the Chief Minister.

In May this year, the State Cabinet decided to rename the deputy commissioners as district commissioners and abolish the offices of divisional commissioners in the state. The GAD issued the notifications after careful examination of the government rules.

One of the notifications said that "for administrative expediency and in the interest of public service, the Governor of Assam is pleased to re-designate the post of 'Deputy Commissioner' as 'District Commissioner' with immediate effect".

The other notification said that 'for administrative convenience and in the interest of public service and in order to bring administration closer to the people by providing adequate power and authority to the deputy commissioner of the district and in the interest of public service, the Governor of Assam is pleased to abolish the offices of Divisional Commissioners in the state with immediate effect. The assets of the existing divisional commissioners' establishments and the employees will come under the establishment of the district in which the headquarters of the Divisional Commissioner is located at present. The statutory and administrative powers as exercised by the Divisional Commissioner at present will henceforth be exercised by the Commissioner and Secretary/Principal Secretary of the General Administration Department'.

According to sources in the GAD, the state government will provide more powers to the district commissioners for the smooth functioning of the district administrations. The GAD will issue more notifications about providing powers to the district commissioners later.

The Chief Minister went on record saying a few months ago that the 'deputy commissioners' would function like the 'chief secretary' in their respective districts and focus on development parameters. The renaming of the 'deputy commissioners' as 'district commissioners' is part of the Chief Minister's announcement.

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