End of an era: Himachal Pradesh mulls scrapping British-era numbardar system

Diary Times News Service

Shimla, August 12: The Himachal Pradesh government is taking steps to end the British-era tradition of Numbardar. The move comes after a resident of Mandi district raised concerns about the relevance of the Numberdari system in modern times and requested its abolition.

The land records department has been directed to assess the current status and responsibilities of around 3,200 Numberdars posted across the state. These persons, who receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 3,700 from the state government, have traditionally played an important role in rural administration, including revenue collection and providing information related to government property and village affairs.

In a letter to the state government, the Mandi resident argued that the Numbardar tradition has lost its utility, as the duties originally assigned to Numberdars under Himachal Pradesh Land Records Rule-4 are no longer being performed. The letter highlighted that today Nambardars neither collect revenue from the villages nor report encroachments or other important matters to the revenue officers. Further, the practice of appointing Numberdars on the basis of lineage was criticized as outdated and inappropriate in the current era.

In response to these concerns, the Additional Director of the Land Records Department of Himachal Pradesh has issued directions to all districts seeking a detailed report on the existing roles and activities of the Numberdars. The purpose of this inquiry is to clarify whether the Numberdar system still serves any practical purpose and to determine the feasibility of its continuation.

The Numbardar tradition dates back to the time of British rule, when it was established to facilitate various administrative functions in rural areas. Numberdars played a key role in local governance, with their verifications and testimony having legal weight, even in the Supreme Court. Historically, they were integral to the functioning of rural life, acting as intermediaries between the rural population and the colonial administration.

However, with the evolution of administrative processes and the introduction of modern governance systems, the relevance of the Numbardar system has been questioned. The ongoing review by the Land Records Department is expected to shed light on the current utility of this tradition and inform the government’s decision on its future.

If the reports received from the districts confirm the concerns raised, the Himachal Pradesh government may soon end this long-standing tradition, marking a significant shift in the state’s approach to rural governance. This decision will undoubtedly resonate in the history of Himachal Pradesh, as it bids goodbye to a system that has been in place for generations.

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