Measures to make the role of civil services effective Part-2 -Recommendations of the Administrative

Measures to make the role of civil services effective Part-2 -Recommendations of the Administrative Reforms Commission

According to the 40th report of the Administrative Reforms Commission, the power of democracy lies in the people and this principle or ideal itself lays the foundation of the concept of democratic accountability. Civil services and servants,  on the basis of their knowledge, qualifications, experience, and understanding of public affairs, assist the elected representatives (MPs, MLAs) in the formulation and implementation of policies. It has become an essential feature of parliamentary democracy that a permanent civil service remains functional to assist the political executive.

 

The Administrative Reforms Commission has clarified in Chapter 15 of its 10th report that  under Presidential rule, the civil service remains under the Spoils System, in which the government  arbitrarily distributes posts in a biased manner on the basis of its choice. . Since  parliamentary democracy prevails in India, the advantages of a neutral and permanent civil service have  been clarified by the Administrative Reforms Commission in the following points:

 

The spoils system is oriented towards shelter and patronage, nepotism, and corruption. A credible selection process through an impartial agency is helpful in addressing these problems.

 

* Lokneet today has assumed a complex dimension, due to which there is a need for in-depth expertise and knowledge in public affairs. A stable civil service is capable of fulfilling all such necessary conditions for effective policy making.

 

According to the Administrative Reforms Commission, a permanent civil service is helpful in ensuring uniformity in public administration. It is capable of acting as a force of integration in a culturally diverse country.

 

* A permanent civil service is required to base its functioning on ethics and morality.

 

The Administrative Reforms Commission says that a healthy functional relationship between ministers and civil servants is very important for good governance. It is necessary to have a clear line of responsibility and accountability between civil servants and ministers. It is worth considering that the ministers with a political background are accountable to the public through Parliament, so it becomes necessary that the civil servants should be accountable to the ministers. But a fair and neutral civil service is not only responsible to the government but also to the constitution of the country, to which the oath of allegiance is taken by them. The main role of the civil service is the implementation of the policies of the elected government. Administrative Reforms Commission says that between the political executive and the permanent bureaucracy Having a clear fixation of responsibilities is very important from the point of view of public welfare and good governance.

 

In order to ensure the proper role of civil service in Indian democracy, the  Administrative Reforms Commission has made the following recommendations in the 40th Report:

 

* Political neutrality and impartiality of civil services need to be protected. Its responsibility should be equally on the political executive and civil services. In this context, the Administrative Reforms  Commission recommended a separate  Code of Ethics for ministers and civil servants.

 

*The commission recommended that the abuse of authority and obstruction of justice be classified as an offense under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 to wrongfully favor or cause harm.

 

* It is necessary for the government to follow some such rules and standards in the context of the appointment of civil services so that favoritism, nepotism, and corruption cannot be encouraged. Some such major standards according to the commission are as follows:

 

(a) There should be a well-defined process or procedure for appointment or recruitment in all government jobs.

(b) Wide publicity and open competition for the selection of all posts.

(c) The selection should preferably be on the basis of the main examination and the interview should carry minimum weightage in the selection process.

Thank You