In India, Administrative Reforms signify all these three aspects- remodelling to suit political change since Independence, change in character and behavior to cope with the new socio-economic environment and programs for the removal of social evils that have crept into the system. Since Independence, there have been about fifty Commissions and Committees at the Union Government level to look into what can be broadly characterized as administrative reforms.
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The purpose of administration is to meet the demands of people and execute the policies taken by the government. But when it is felt that the prevailing system of public administration fails to reach the target and to meet the demands of people then - and then only - the question of reforming administration arises.
Administrative reforms can, in short, be defined as artificial inducement of administrative transformation against resistance. This definition highlights three distinct elements, namely:
Obviously, reforms do not take place by themselves. They are pre-meditated, well studied and planned programmes with definite objectives in view. Reform is an induced and manipulated change, for it involves persuasion, collaboration and generation of conviction for betterment.
Need For Administrative Reforms
Administrative reform is but a part of the universality of this change, for administration is nothing but a sub-culture, a social sub-system reflecting the values of the wider society. Administration must also correspondingly change to be in step with the outer modernisation process. Or else, disequilibrium would set in, resulting in imbalances, dysfunctionalities, mal-adjustments and goal displacement.
Types of Administrative Reform (According to Gerald E. Caiden) |
Reforms imposed through political changes: Administration is shaped and influenced by political forces. The change in political scene also affects administration. Structure and working of administration is affected by political changes. |
Reforms introduced to remedy organisational rigidity: Bureaucratic structures have to change to be flexible. The rigidity in the structure of administration has to be removed. The changes can take place in the form of restructuring, reinvention, realignment, rethinking and reengineering. |
Reforms through the legal system: Laws pertaining to administrative reform can lead to significant changes in administration. Legislation is normally preceded by consultations and deliberation in several forums such as committees, commissions, press etc. |
Reforms through changes in attitude: Human beings are an important part of any organisation. Change in their attitude will help in bringing reforms. No legal, structural and political change can lead to desired reform unless and until these are appreciated and accepted by the people working in the organisation. |
Evolution of all Administrative Reforms in India
Various measures were taken up by the Government of India in administrative reforms-
1. It spelt out the tasks for the Department of Administrative Reforms. The Commission suggested that the Department should concentrate on:
Providing guidance to the O & M units in implementing the improvements and reforms.
2. It recommended the reactivating of the O & M units in different ministries and departments.
3. It called for setting up of a special cell in the central reforms agency to give effect to the reports of ARC; and
4. It stated that the central reforms agency should be research based in matters dealing with the methods of work, staffing pattern and organisational structure.
List of Reports Produced by Second ARC |
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1st Report |
Right to Information: Master Key to Good Governance |
2nd Report |
Unlocking Human Capital: Entitlements and Governance |
3rd Report |
Crisis Management |
4th Report |
Ethics in Governance |
5th Report |
Public Order |
6th Report |
Local Governance |
7th Report |
Capacity Building for Conflict Resolution |
8th Report |
Combating Terrorism - Protecting by Righteousness |
9th Report |
Social Capital-A shared Destiny |
10th Report |
Refurbishing of Personnel Administration &ndash Scaling New Heights |
11th Report |
Promoting e-Governance: The Smart Way Forward |
12th Report |
Citizen Centric Administration |
13th Report |
Organisational structure of Govt of India |
14th Report |
Strengthening Financial Management Systems |
15th Report |
State and District Administration |
Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC)