Administrative Reforms Commission: India's First Step Towards Bureaucratic Change

when was the first administrative reforms commission constituted in india

The Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) is a commission appointed by the Government of India to review the public administration system of India and make recommendations for reform. The first ARC was established on 5 January 1966 and was initially chaired by Morarji Desai, with K. Hanumanthaiah becoming chairman when Desai became the Deputy Prime Minister of India. The first ARC was tasked with reviewing the machinery of the Government of India and its procedures of work, as well as addressing problems of redress of citizens' grievances. The commission submitted 20 reports containing 537 major recommendations, which were placed before Parliament in November 1977.

Characteristics Values
Date constituted 5 January 1966
Chair Morarji Desai
Other members K. Hanumanthaiya, H.C. Mathur, G.S. Pathak, H.V. Kamath, and V. Shanker
Number of reports delivered 20
Number of recommendations made 537
Date disbanded Mid-1970s

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The first Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was established on 5 January 1966

The ARC was a Commission of Inquiry, tasked with examining the public administration of India and making recommendations for reform and reorganisation when necessary. The commission's main focus was on the machinery of the Government of India and its procedures of work, as well as the problems of redress of citizens' grievances.

The ARC produced 20 reports with 537 major recommendations. These reports were based on inputs from various administrative ministries and were submitted before the commission wound up in the mid-1970s. A report indicating the implementation position of these recommendations was placed before the Parliament in November 1977.

The first ARC's recommendations covered a range of topics, including the need for specialisation within the government, organisational structure, ethics in governance, and the strengthening of financial management systems. The commission also considered steps to ensure effective administration at both the state and district levels.

The first ARC played a crucial role in improving the administrative system in India, providing management advice and helping to implement policy reforms. The commission's work laid the foundation for subsequent Administrative Reforms Commissions, with the second ARC being constituted in 2005 to build upon and further enhance the public administration system.

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The commission was initially chaired by Morarji Desai

The first Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was established on the 5th of January 1966. The commission was initially chaired by Morarji Desai, an MP, who was later succeeded by K. Hanumanthaiah when Desai became the Deputy Prime Minister of India.

The ARC was appointed by the Government of India to give recommendations for reviewing the public administration system of the country. The commission was tasked with examining the public administration of India and making recommendations for reform and reorganisation when necessary. The main aim was to promote government administrative agencies to implement public policies efficiently and bring about transformation in society. The focus was on enhancing the services delivered to the public and improving public management.

The first ARC was asked to consider all aspects relating to the machinery of the Government of India and its procedures of work. It was also to look into the problems of redress of citizens' grievances. The commission was empowered to devise its own procedures, appoint committees, and advisors to assist it. It set up 20 study teams, 13 working groups, and one task force. The working groups made detailed studies of specific agencies and organisations, such as Customs & Central Excise, Post & Telegraphs, Life Insurance, Income Tax, and the Police.

The first ARC produced 20 reports containing 537 major recommendations. A report indicating the implementation position, based on inputs received from various administrative ministries, was placed before the Parliament in November 1977. The commission wound up in the mid-1970s.

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The commission's main task was to review Indian public administration and suggest changes

The first Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was established on 5 January 1966. Its main task was to review the Indian public administration system and recommend changes. The commission was initially chaired by Morarji Desai, and later by K. Hanumanthaiah.

The ARC was tasked with examining the machinery of the Government of India and its procedures of work. This included the organisational structure of the government, ethics in governance, and the refurbishing of personnel administration. The commission was also expected to address problems in the redressal of citizens' grievances. Notably, the ARC excluded the detailed examination of defence, railways, external affairs, security, and intelligence from its purview, as these sectors were already being examined by other bodies.

The ARC's primary objective was to promote efficient implementation of public policies by government administrative agencies, bringing about societal transformation. To achieve this, the commission focused on enhancing the structure of the workforce and developing a sustainable administrative structure. It empowered various ministries to implement its recommendations and made significant strides towards good governance.

The ARC submitted 20 reports containing 537 major recommendations. These reports covered a range of topics, including the need for specialisation within the government and the encouragement of a Central Direct Taxes Administration. The reports were based on inputs from administrative ministries and indicated the implementation position of the suggested reforms. The ARC's work laid the foundation for the second ARC, which was constituted in 2005 with a continued focus on improving public administration.

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It submitted 20 reports with 537 recommendations

The First Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was established on the 5th of January 1966. It was a Commission of Inquiry that reviewed the public administration of India and made recommendations for reform and reorganisation when necessary. The commission was initially chaired by Morarji Desai, and later on, K. Hanumanthaiah became its chairman when Desai became the Deputy Prime Minister of India. The First ARC was constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Government of India by resolution no. 40/3/65-AR(P) dated 5 January 1966.

The First ARC submitted 20 reports with 537 recommendations before disbanding in the mid-1970s. These reports covered a range of topics, including the machinery of the Government of India, ethics in governance, the refurbishing of personnel administration, strengthening financial management systems, and steps to ensure effective administration at both the state and district levels.

The reports also addressed issues such as local self-government, social capital, and citizen-centric administration. The Commission was empowered to devise its own procedures and appoint committees and advisors to assist in its work. It set up 20 study teams, 13 working groups, and one task force. The working groups conducted detailed studies of specific agencies and organisations, such as customs and central excise, post and telegraphs, life insurance, income tax, and police and developmental control.

Based on the inputs received from various administrative ministries, a report indicating the implementation position of the First ARC's recommendations was placed before the Parliament in November 1977. The First ARC's goal was to increase administrative capability and promote government administrative agencies to implement public policies efficiently, leading to societal transformation.

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The second ARC was constituted on 31 August 2005

The Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) is a body appointed by the Government of India to review the public administration system of India and make recommendations for reform. The first ARC was established on 5 January 1966.

The second ARC's specific mandate topics included strengthening the infrastructure for financial management and improving administration at the state and district levels. It also considered the organisational structure of the Government of India, ethics in governance, and the refurbishing of personnel administration.

The second ARC presented 15 reports to the Government for consideration, including "Right to Information: Master Key to Good Governance" and "Unlocking Human Capital: Entitlements and Governance – a Case Study". These reports contained a total of 1500 recommendations.

Following the submission of the second ARC's reports, the Government assembled a Group of Ministers (GoM) in 2007 to investigate and assess the suggestions for further implementation. The GoM was constituted under the Chairmanship of the then External Affairs Minister. The Group of Ministers reviewed the pace of implementation of the recommendations and provided guidance to the concerned Ministries/Departments.

Frequently asked questions

The first Administrative Reforms Commission was constituted in India on 5 January 1966.

The first Administrative Reforms Commission was initially chaired by Morarji R. Desai.

The first Administrative Reforms Commission was established to review the public administration system of India and make recommendations for reform when necessary.

The first Administrative Reforms Commission submitted 20 reports which contained 537 major recommendations.

The first Administrative Reforms Commission disbanded in the mid-1970s.

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