Central

Section 18 of The Central Provinces Court of Wards Act, 1899

(1)With the general or special sanction of the Local Government, the Court of Wards may, from time to time, delegate all or any of its powers to the Deputy Commissioner of any district in which any part of the property of a Government ward is situated, or to any other person whom it may appoint in this behalf; and may, at any time, with the like sanction, revoke such delegation.
(2)Subject to any general or special orders of the Local Government, the Court of Wards may exercise all or any powers conferred on it by this Act through the Deputy Commissioner of any district in which any part of the property of a Government ward is situated, or through any other person whom it may appoint in this behalf, and, subject to the like orders, any such Deputy Commissioner may exercise all or any powers delegated to him under this Act through any Revenue-officer subordinate to him.

Summary

The Court of Wards can hand over its powers to the Deputy Commissioner of the district where the property is located, or to another appointed person.
To delegate these powers, or to take them back, the Court of Wards needs the permission of the Local Government.
If power is given to a Deputy Commissioner, that Commissioner can pass the work down further to lower-ranking Revenue-officers who work under them.
Everything done through these delegated powers is still subject to the orders and supervision of the Local Government.

Practical examples

1The Court of Wards is managing a huge estate spanning fifty miles. Instead of travelling there constantly, they get Local Government approval to delegate rent collection powers to Mr. Smith, the Deputy Commissioner of that specific district.

2Mr. Smith, the Deputy Commissioner, is too busy to personally inspect every farm on the ward's estate, so he instructs a subordinate Revenue-officer to use the delegated powers to handle the daily farm inspections on his behalf.

FAQ

1. Can the Court of Wards give its powers to absolutely anyone?

They can delegate powers to the Deputy Commissioner of the district where the property is located, or to any other person they appoint, provided they have the sanction of the Local Government.

2. Once powers are delegated, are they gone forever?

No, the Court of Wards can revoke the delegation at any time, but they must get the same sanction from the Local Government to do so.

3. Can a Deputy Commissioner pass the work to their own staff?

Yes, subject to government orders, a Deputy Commissioner can exercise delegated powers through any Revenue-officer who is subordinate to them.

Test yourself

Q1.Under Section 18 of The Central Provinces Court of Wards Act, 1899, whose approval is required for the Court of Wards to delegate its powers?

Q2.Under Section 18 of The Central Provinces Court of Wards Act, 1899, to whom can a Deputy Commissioner further delegate the powers given to them by the Court of Wards?

Q3.Under Section 18 of The Central Provinces Court of Wards Act, 1899, what is required for the Court of Wards to revoke a delegation of power it previously made?

Q4.Under Section 18 of The Central Provinces Court of Wards Act, 1899, what geographical restriction applies when delegating power to a Deputy Commissioner?

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