Assam Government Amends Executive Instructions for Mouzadars, Revising Administrative Oversight

The Governor of Assam issued a Notification on October 28, 2025, introducing significant amendments to the Executive Instructions under the Assam Land and Revenue Manual, 1886, specifically concerning the administration of Mouzadars. This legislative instrument, officially titled the Executive Instructions under the Assam Land and Revenue Manual, 1886 (Amendment) 2025, came into force on November 19, 2025, the date of its publication in the Official Gazette (Extraordinary Gazette No. 743, Dispur). The primary reason for its enactment was to update and streamline the operational guidelines for Mouzadars, who are local revenue officials responsible for land revenue collection and related administrative duties within their designated Mouzas (revenue circles).

The amendments introduce several key changes to the existing framework. Notably, in Executive Instructions numbered 115 to 159, the term "Commissioner" has been uniformly replaced with "Director of Land Records and Surveys, Assam," thereby centralizing or re-designating supervisory authority for these specific instructions. Furthermore, Executive Instruction 122 has been entirely substituted with new provisions detailing inspection protocols. Under the revised instruction, District Commissioners and Co-District Commissioners are now mandated to conduct periodic inspections of Mouzas within their respective jurisdictions and submit inspection reports directly to the Director of Land Records and Surveys, Assam. A new hierarchical inspection system has also been established, requiring a Mouzadar to inspect Gaon Pradhans' Offices under their Mouza monthly. Conversely, a Mouzadar's office will undergo quarterly inspections by a Circle Officer. The Mouzadar is tasked with submitting their inspection reports to the concerned Circle Officers, who, in turn, will forward their reports to the Co-District Commissioners or District Commissioners. Additionally, Executive Instruction 124(iv) has been entirely deleted from the principal Executive Instructions.

The legislative intent behind these amendments is to enhance administrative efficiency and accountability within the land revenue management system of Assam. By substituting the supervisory authority from "Commissioner" to the "Director of Land Records and Surveys, Assam," the government aims to create a more focused and specialized oversight mechanism for Mouzadars. The earlier legal position, governed by the Assam Land and Revenue Manual, 1886, and its original Executive Instructions, lacked the specific, multi-tiered inspection and reporting structure now introduced. These changes address potential gaps in oversight and ensure more regular and systematic monitoring of revenue administration at the local level. The new provisions establish clear lines of responsibility and reporting, from the Mouzadar to the District/Co-District Commissioners, with the Director of Land Records and Surveys, Assam, at the apex of the revised reporting structure for certain functions. The legislation provided: “A Mouzadar's office will be inspected by a Circle Officer quarterly for better administrative efficiency.” This highlights the policy rationale of improving the functioning of local revenue offices through regular scrutiny. The amendments introduce new obligations for various officials, including District Commissioners, Co-District Commissioners, Mouzadars, and Circle Officers, regarding inspections and report submissions, thereby strengthening the enforcement mechanisms for administrative compliance.

Keywords: Assam, Mouzadars, Land Revenue, Executive Instructions, Administrative Reforms, Revenue Management, Land Records, Government Notification, Inspection Protocols, Director of Land Records and Surveys

Geo Tags: India, Assam District: Not Applicable