Uttarakhand Governance (Executive) – Part 2

Directorate, Divisions, Administrative History, District System, Advocate General Full Details

Introduction

The Uttarakhand Governance Executive system (Part-2) explains the remaining administrative structure of the state, which is essential to understand how policies are implemented at different levels. In Part-1, we studied the Governor, Council of Ministers, Chief Minister and Secretariat. Now, in this part, we will focus on the practical and ground-level administration of Uttarakhand.

The Uttarakhand Executive system is not limited to policy making only. It also includes the implementation machinery such as the Executive Departments (Directorate), Divisions, District Administration, Tehsil system and Development Blocks. These units ensure that government policies are properly executed across the state.

In this article, we will also study the historical development of administration in Uttarakhand, from the British period to the present structure. Additionally, we will understand the role of the Advocate General, who is the highest legal officer of the state.

By the end of this part, you will have a complete understanding of the Uttarakhand Governance Executive system, including both policy-making and implementation levels.

Executive Department (Directorate)

State administration has three main levels after the formation of government:

Council of Ministers – Political head
Secretariat – Administrative head
Executive Department / Directorate – Implementing body

The Council of Ministers makes policies.
The Secretariat prepares and controls administrative work.
The Executive Department (Directorate) implements the policies.

Therefore, the Directorate is the main executing organ of the state administration.

Each department of the government works under a Government Secretary.

Example of departments:

Home Department
Police Department
Jail Department
Internal Security Department
Revenue Department
Education Department
Health Department

For example:

Under Home Secretary →

Police
Jail
Internal Security
Law and order work

These departments have offices at different levels such as:

State level
Division level
District level
Tehsil level

Thus the Directorate extends up to the lowest level of administration.

Divisional Administration in Uttarakhand

In general and revenue administration, after the head of department there is a Divisional Commissioner.

The Divisional Commissioner looks after:

Law and order
Revenue collection
Administrative supervision
Coordination of districts

At present Uttarakhand has two divisions:

Garhwal Division
Kumaon Division

Garhwal division has the maximum number of districts.

Divisional level is important because it connects state government with district administration.

Historical Development of Administration in Uttarakhand

The administrative system of Uttarakhand developed during British rule.

British annexation

1814 → British annexed Garhwal
1815 → British annexed Kumaon

After this:

Kumaon district was formed
Area taken from Garhwal king was made a pargana of Kumaon
In 1817 → Dehradun made a district
Dehradun included in Saharanpur

Thus in the beginning of British rule there were only two units:

Kumaon district
Tehri princely state

Changes in 1840

In 1840:

Headquarters of British Garhwal shifted from Srinagar to Pauri
New district formed → Pauri Garhwal

Changes in 1854

In 1854:

Nainital became headquarters of Kumaon division

Till 1890 there were only two districts:

Kumaon
Pauri Garhwal

Changes in 1891

In 1891 Kumaon was divided into two districts:

Almora
Nainital

This situation continued till independence.

Thus before independence there were:

Pauri
Almora
Nainital
Tehri princely state

After Independence

On 1 August 1949:

Tehri princely state merged
Became fourth district of Kumaon division

Till 1960:

Except Mussoorie, Chakrata and Dehradun,
whole mountain region was in Kumaon division.

Changes in 1960

In 1960 new districts formed:

Uttarkashi from Tehri
Chamoli from Pauri
Pithoragarh from Almora

Changes in 1970

In 1970:

Garhwal Mandal formed
Headquarter → Pauri

Changes in 1975

In 1975:

Dehradun removed from Meerut division
Added to Garhwal division

Changes in 1988

Haridwar district created
Date → 28 December 1988

After formation of Uttarakhand state:

Haridwar included in Garhwal division

Changes in 1995

Udham Singh Nagar district created
Date → 26 December 1995

Changes in 1997

Three districts created:

Champawat → 15 September 1997
Rudraprayag → 18 September 1997
Bageshwar → 18 September 1997

Present Administrative Structure of Uttarakhand

Below Division → District

Total districts = 13

Each district is headed by:

District Magistrate (DM)

DM functions:

Law and order
Revenue
Administration
Election work
Disaster control

Tehsil Administration

Below district → Tehsil

Total Tehsils = 78

Before formation of state → 49

29 new tehsils formed before Lok Sabha election 2004

Sub-Tehsil = 7

Tehsil head → Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)

Functions:

Revenue work
Land records
Law and order
Administration

Development Administration

Like general administration, development administration also has levels.

Levels:

State level
District level
Block level

Total blocks = 95

Block level officer → BDO

Work:

Rural development
Panchayat work
Government schemes
Agriculture
Welfare programs

Advocate General

According to Article 165 of the Constitution, there shall be an Advocate General for the state.

The Advocate General is the highest law officer of the state.

Appointment

Appointed by Governor
No fixed term
Holds office during pleasure of Governor

Qualification

Must be:

Citizen of India
10 years judicial work
OR
Advocate in High Court for 10 years

Functions

Advises Governor on legal matters
Represents state in court
Performs legal duties assigned by Governor
Can speak in Assembly
Cannot vote

First Advocate General of Uttarakhand:

Meherban Singh Negi

FAQ:-

Q1 Uttarakhand me kitne division hai?

2 division — Garhwal aur Kumaon

Q2 Total district kitne hai?

13 districts

Q3 Directorate ka kaam kya hai?

Policy ko implement karna

Q4 DM ka kaam kya hota hai?

District administration control

Q5 Tehsil head kaun hota hai?

SDM

Q6 Advocate General kaun appoint karta hai?

Governor

Q7 Chief Secretary kaun hota hai?

Highest administrative officer

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