Jaintia Hills district General information
Jaintia Hills is an administrative district in the state of Meghalaya in India. The present district was created in 22 February 1972 and occupies an area of 3819 km². It has a population of 295,692 (as of 2001), of which a vast majority is rural. The district headquarters are located at Jowai. The district is part of the Meghalaya subtropical forests ecoregion.
For the tribal division into twelve elaka (provinces), each under a dolloi, tributary to the Raja of Jaintiapur, see Hills States
Agriculture and mining are the dominant economic activities. The district has large reserves of coal and is the largest producer of coal within Meghalaya.
General Administration
Deputy Commissioner is the head of the District administration. The Deputy Commissioner is the executive head as well as judicial head of the district. The DC is aided by a number of officers like Additional Deputy Commissioner, Sub-Divisional Officers of Civil Sub-Divisions and Extra Assistant Commissioners to assist him in different type of activities. As the executive head the DC plays a vital role in coordinating with all developmental heads of the district for all round developmental activities under various programs such as M.P. scheme (MPLAD), MLA’s scheme, Border areas development funds, Employment assurance schemes and so on. The District Planning Officer is assigned to see, formulate and release of fund for development scheme. There also exists the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) and the DC is the chairman of the said agency. The Project Director is the functional head of the agency. All schemes of rural development are implemented by Block Development Officers and the necessary funds are routed through this agency.
Law and Order
Maintenance of law and order is another important aspect of district administration to give proper security and to safeguard the lives and properties of the citizen. In this regard the DC act as the District Magistrate for maintenance of law and order in the district. The District Magistrate is assisted by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Sub-Division Magistrates and other Executive Magistrates and keeps close link with police department for necessity. The Superintendent of Police is the head of the Police Administration.
Revenue
In revenue matter the DC is assisted by ADC i/c of Revenue and other Revenue and Enforcement staff. There is constitutionally recognized Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council in Jowai. Hence all types of revenue collection like settlement of Hats (Bazaar), Ghats, Ponds, Ferries, Professional tax are directly dealt by Dist. Council, except matters like acquisition of Govt. land, encroachment of Govt. land, allotment of land to central department, payment of compensation money etc.
Natural Calamity
The DC plays a key role during natural disaster periods like flood, earthquake, landslide, cyclone/storm damage or fire incidence. The DC generally takes prompt action whenever the situation arises in any part of the district, and provides assistance either in cash or kind to the victims according to the nature of damage. Besides all these the DC being the head of the district also holds the post of Chairman of various committee, colleges, schools, Banks etc.