Today in our language you can find many foreign words that were taken from the ancient or modern languages of other peoples and nationalities. Some of them are quite understandable, but sometimes we have to think about the significance of others. That is the meaning of the word "prefect."
Origin of the term
This concept has rather deep roots in the history of our world. It came to us from the dictionary of the ancient Romans, who called it so any person holding various high administrative, military and judicial posts. At that time, such a post was also in trade. The official’s task was to monitor the supply of grain to the city. Such ranks were in other areas of life. That is, we can say that the prefect is the boss who must monitor his subordinates and the implementation of various tasks by them.
Where else was this concept used?
Many countries of the world have taken into account this ancient Roman term and use it to this day. So, for example, it can often be found in the French dictionary. Here, a prefect is a person who holds a high position in the district or department and manages it. Do not forget about this term in other countries of the world. Despite its “foreignness” and unusualness for various languages, this term has taken root and has become quite familiar. Although its significance varies slightly in different countries. So, in some regions, the prefect is the usual chief of police in the city. But in Europe this word is called the heads of territorial units. In the Russian Federation, the term is also quite common. Who is the prefect here? This is the head or head of the district, that is, he is similar to the European concept.
What other terms are associated with the prefect?
An unusual word for the Russian language is another one, which is closely related to the prefect. This is a prefecture. It came into our daily life after an administrative reform took place in the country. The main goal of the reforms was the restructuring of local authorities in the manner of European ones. The prefecture works for the benefit of its district. Its main tasks can be explained by the example of Moscow. Today, the prefect is not the person who should monitor the life of the city. His position includes managing the territorial executive authority. The appointment to the post of prefect is carried out by the mayor. Moreover, the prefecture is fully subject to the Constitution of the country, the main provisions and documents of the city, legal acts and norms.
What are the responsibilities of the prefecture?
Among the main tasks, the following should be noted:
- Control and constant coordination of the work of those administrations in the city and the okrug, which are part of its department. This may be some city institutions, and numerous state-level enterprises.
- Representation of the Government of the city, as well as its main interests in the framework of the opportunities and powers with which it is endowed.
- Receipt of all budget funds of the city and the okrug, as well as their disposal.
- Organization of a variety of repair, cosmetic, road works in the city and the okrug, as well as landscaping, cleaning of those lands that are ownerless.
- Coordination of work and control of repairs carried out as planned in the apartment buildings of the city.
It should be noted that the functions and tasks that the prefect should perform today are distinguished by a rather large number of actions. This body, in fact, is administrative and organizationally executive. Its main distinguishing feature can be considered a larger list of powers, as well as a huge territory of government, unlike municipalities.