Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), also known as a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), acts as the chief civil officer of a sub-division, coordinating and implementing government policies under the Collector, with responsibilities spanning revenue, executive, and judicial matters.
Revenue and Executive Functions:
- Coordination and Supervision:
The SDO/SDM coordinates the work of Tahasildars (officers in charge of a tahsil) and their staff within the sub-division.
They are responsible for supervising and inspecting all revenue matters, from assessment to collection of land revenue.
They possess powers delegated by the Collector under certain acts, acting as an Assistant Collector first grade in revenue matters.
They safeguard government property, dealing with encroachments and breaches of land tenure conditions.
They are involved in the levy of non-agricultural assessment, passing orders regarding miscellaneous land revenue, and supervising the realization of government revenue.
They are involved in land acquisition processes.
They hear appeals against Mamlatdars’ (revenue officials) decisions in assistance cases and watch the execution of assistance decrees.
- Crop and Boundary Inspection:
They conduct crop and boundary mark inspections and check crop yield estimates for revenue suspensions and remissions.
They deal with successions to watans (traditional land holdings) and other properties.
They coordinate the work of officials in departments like Revenue, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Public Health within the sub-division.