In addition to the above the Deputy Commissioner has been invested with so many other administrative and financial powers. He can effect transfers of non-gazetted staff within the district in respect of staff of all the departments. The Deputy Commissioner is also the disciplinary authority and is competent to take disciplinary action in matters concerning non-gazetted staff posted in the district. He can order any punishment, short of dismissal and removal from service. This arrangement has been made to ensure smooth working in the area because of its remoteness.
 

The concentration of powers in the Deputy Commissioner is primarily to ensure the speedy disposal of work and execution of development schemes. These arrangements have worked very well. The people, who were hitherto unused to the immediate presence of a high powered executive and were, therefore initially apprehensive, that the induction of such an elaborate administrative machinery might mean a certain curtailment of their idyllic freedom, are now convinced that from small waziris to a sub-tehsil and then to a ful-fledged district, the change has been all along for the better.

There are two tehsils and two sub-divisions in the district namely Lahul and Spiti which are coterminous. The Deputy Commissioner in the district is assisted by the usual compliment of ministerial and executive staff. Three Sub-Divisional Officers (Civil) each posted at Keylong, Udaipur and Kaza are invested with powers of Sub-Divisional Magistrate and Collector. The two Tehsildars posted in Keylong tehsil & Kaza tehsil have the powers of the Executive Magistrate and Assistant Collectors 1st grade. They have to assist the Sub-Divisional Officers both in Magisterial and in revenue work. Tehsildars in turn are assisted in-the revenue work by the field revenue staff.
 

The following district level officers are the incharge of their respective departments, and work under the supervision and direction of the Deputy Commissioner.

High Maintenance Cost of Roads and Irrigation Channels
The soil of this valley is loose and sandy and as such roads and irrigation channels get damaged even with slightest rain , melting of snow land slides, falling of boulders and avalanches. Thus the repairs of Kuhls and roads consume hefty sums of money and sometimes it costs more than that for new construction.
 

Marketing of Hops
There was no proper infrastructure for the marketing of Hops, which can become main cash crop in addition to potatoes & peas and can reap rich benefits to the farmers of the valley, but last year with the commissioning of Hops Palletting Plant at Baddi, the scenario has improved.
 

Disease in Willow Plantation
The willow trees in the valley are drying due to mysterious disease and improper irrigation facilities due to scanty snowfall in winters. The matter regarding the outbreak of this disease has been taken up with the University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan, H.P and is providing necessary help to the people.
 

Non-availability of skilled and semi-skilled labour
Since the involvement of local labour is quite negligible and almost all skilled and semi-skilled labours are imported from outside the Valley, the labour rate as applied to tribal areas is 25% above the normal rate prevailing in other areas. Material cost and transportation charges are higher than those in other areas of the Pradesh due to un-certain climatic conditions and difficult topography.

Expensive Transportation

In most cases, the schemes which are to be executed are situated at inhospitable altitudes and all the materials required for the execution are to be carried through manual labour. This also causes higher labour charges and consumes more time.

Erratic Mail System
Erratic mail system in the Valley is the main impediment in proper implementation of developmental activities. It has been noticed that even an ordinary mail takes a month’s time to reach its destination. Sometimes the dak regarding allocation of budget is received when the financial year is already over. Therefore, the regular dak system is to be ensured.