162. Powers and functions of District Development Officer. - (1) Save as otherwise expressly provided by or under this Act, the executive power of a district panchayat for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act, shall vest in the District Development Officer was shall subject to the orders, if any, of the President or of the district panchayat, as the case may be-
(a)perform all the functions and exercise all the powers specifically imposed or conferred upon him by or under this Act, or under any law for the time being in force; and(b)lay down the duties of all officers and servants of the district panchayat,(2)Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder the District Development Officer shall-(a)be entitled to-(i)attend the meetings of the district panchayat, or any of its committee;(ii)call for any information, return, statement account or report from any officer or servant of or holding office under, the district panchayat:(iii)grant leave of absence to such class of officers as may be prescribed by rules;(iv)call for an explanation from any officer or servant of or holding office under the district panchayat,(b)subject to the control, of the district panchayat, discharge duties and perform functions, in respect of matters which by or under this Act are not expressly imposed conferred on any committee, presiding officer or any officer of the district panchayat;(c)appoint such class of officers and servants as may be prescribed;(d)supervise and control the execution of all activities of the district panchayat;(e)take necessary measures for the speedy execution of all works and development schemes of the district panchayat;(f)have custody of all papers and documents connected with the proceedings of meetings of the district panchayat and of its committees;(g)assess and give his opinion confidentially every year on the work of the officers holding office under the district panchayat; forward them to such authorities as may be prescribed by the State Government and lay down the procedure for writing such reports about the work of officers and servants under the district panchayat;(h)draw and disburse money out of the fund:(i)exercise supervision and control over the acts of officers and servants holding office under the district panchayat in matters of executive administration and those relating to accounts and records of the district panchayat; and(j)exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the State Government.(3)(a)Save as provided in clause (b), the District Development Officer may subject to such conditions as he may think fit to impose, delegate any of his power and functions to any officer or servant holding office under the district panchayat, provided such officer or servant is not below such rank as may be prescribed.(b)Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), the power to draw and disburse money out of the fund referred to in clause (h) of the said sub-section shall, in so far as such drawing and disbursement of money is in respect of any matter specified in Part II of Schedule III or, dealt with under the Bombay Primary Education Act, 1947 (Bombay LX1 of 1947) be deemed to be delegated to and be exercised by the Administrative Officer appointed for the District Panchayat under section 21 of the Bombay Primary education Act, 1947.(4)Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the District Development Officer shall be under the general control of the district panchayat.(E)Budget Estimates
