The Union Cabinet today approved extension of the term of the 2^nd Administrative Commission (ARC) by one year  upto 31 August, 2007.  The 2^nd ARC was set up to prepare a detailed blueprint for revamping the public administration system.  Implementation of its Reports after due consideration is bound to improve service delivery etc.

BACKGROUND:

The National Common Minimum Programme envisaged setting up of an Administrative Reforms Commission  to prepare a detailed blueprint for revamping the public administration system.  Accordingly, the second Administrative Reforms Commission was constituted on 31.8.2005 with the approval of the Cabinet, as a Commission of Inquiry, under the Chairmanship of Shri Veerappa Moily.

            The Commission has been requested, inter-alia, to consider the following areas and make recommendations :

(i)                   Organisational Structure of the Government of India

(ii)                 Ethics in Governance

(iii)                Refurbishing of Personnel Administration

(iv)                Strengthening of financial management systems

(v)                  Steps to ensure effective administration at the State level

(vi)                Steps to ensure effective District Administration

(vii)               Local Self Government/Panchayati Raj Institutions

(viii)             Social Capital, Trust and Participative public service delivery

(ix)               Citizen-centric Administration

(x)                 Promoting e-governance

(xi)               Issues of Federal Polity

(xii)              Crisis Management

(xiii)            Public Order

Detailed Terms of Reference containing 53 points failing under the above 13 areas have been referred to the Commission for their consideration.  The Commission has been requested to furnish its report(s) within one year of its constitution, i.e. by 31-8-2006.

            The Commission has decided to submit its reports in phases in respect of various Terms of Reference.  It has presented its first Report to the Prime Minister titled “RIGHT TO INFORMATION – Master Key to Good Governance” on 9-6-2006.  The Commission will be submitting  shortly its Reports on (i) Crisis Management (ii) Public Order, and  (iii) NREGA as part of financial management.  In the second phase the Commission proposes to submit its Reports on (i) Organisational structure of Government of India,  (ii) Ethics in Governance,  (iii) Refurbishing Public Administration and (iv) Local-Self Government/ Panchayati Raj Institutions.

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YSR/DS/LV