A more thorough explanation:

A functionary is a person who works for the government or a public organization. They are responsible for carrying out specific duties and tasks assigned to them.

• A city clerk who is responsible for maintaining official records and documents.
• A tax collector who collects taxes on behalf of the government.
• A customs officer who inspects goods at the border to ensure they comply with regulations.

These examples illustrate how functionaries are public officers or employees who perform specific tasks for the government or public organizations. They are responsible for carrying out their duties in a professional and efficient manner to ensure the smooth functioning of the organization they work for.