KARNATAKA ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS COMMISSION INTERIM REPORT COMPLIMENTS | FOR REFERENCE ONLY | LATHA KRISHNA RAO, IAS SECRETARY K.A.R.C Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission Interim Report January 2001 NUEPA DC D14412 CHAIRMAN HARANAHALLI RAMASWAMY MEMBERS S.B.MUDDAPPA Former Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka. BLASIUS.M.D’SOUZA Former Law Minister, Government of Karnataka. SECRETARY G. LATHA KRISHNA RAO, IAS © Copyright 2001 Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission Government of Karnataka No.9, 3ri1 Floor, S"1 Stage, M.S. Building, Ambedkar Veedhi, Bangalore-560 001. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the Government of Karnataka Design and layout : Akshara Advertising, Bangalore. Extract of Budget speech of Hon’ble Chief Minister Sri S.M.Krishna on 27/03/2000 “I am determined to usher in a new work culture in all government departments. I would like the government to be more polite to people, clear the files faster and deliver better service. I am also aware of the complex rules and regulations under which the government functions. A typical file in Vidhana Soudha may have to be seen by 15 to 25 levels for the final decision to reach the citizen. The government will set up an Administrative Reforms Commission to recommend steps to offer better service to Karnataka citizens.” Extract of speech of Hon’ble Chief Minister at the time of Inauguration of Administrative Reforms Commission on 08/05/2000 “Thero is a dire need for effecting fundamental and thorough changes to the present system of administration, w hich has becom e obsolete, and our government will use the tools of modern technology at all levels of administration in the process of change.” “The modern technological tools like Information technology, video conferencing and data collection were not available about a decade ago. Now there is a need for effectively adopting these technological tools in administration.” “People expect only solutions to their problems and are not bothered about the movement of files.” “The Government has therefore constituted the Administrative Reforms Commission and I am happy to inaugurate the Commission this day at the conference Hall of Vidhana Soudha.” Vision of Visionaries “ I w ill give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt apply the following tests. Recall the face of the poorest and weakest man whom you have seen, and ask yourself if the step you take is to be of any use to him. Will he gain anything by it, whether it leads to Swaraj for the hungry and starving millions. Then you will find your doubts melting away” - Mahatma Gandhi 3^ii r ^o.f i<dcf) oi^ctD | 0 v cjr|cr|c) tfcfScT 3sJortoo±>r 0 » Jjc| c |t|o i3 xHcfcd ciM J'l'ooiill 1 © ^ a il? i0 o ri stortek rfesro c£6dWW<«c|| 3K drd'3 3 lV d °1<WJI II - a n fe£/a cS cjztd&ticb - jJltrejlf? a cJ “ The problem of administration is not mechanical. It is essentially human. Unless, therefore, it is approached in that right spirit with sympathy, solicitude and understanding the desired results become difficult for achievement. The administrators have to serve the people because that is the only purpose for which they can and they ought to exist. Every ounce of their energy, their intellect, their capacity has to be surrendered to the devoted service of their master - the people.” - Govind Vallabh Pant in Extract from the speech of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar before the Constituent Assembly on 25-11-1949 “Will history repeat itself ? It is this thought which fills me with anxiety. This anxiety is deepended by the realisation of the fact that in addition to our old enemies in the form of castes and creeds we are going to have many political parties with diverse and opposing political creeds. Will Indians place the country above their creed or will they place creed above the country ?. I do not know. But this much is certain that if the parties place creed above country, our independence will be put in jeopardy a second time and probably be losl for ever. This eventuality we must all resolutely guard against. We must be determined to defend our independence with the last drop of our blood.” “In the interest of overall welfare of State, I have to emphasize on one aspect - whatever I do or you do will be of interest to the welfare of the public and that is our duty. It is essential that all the employees should co-operate with each department and also with the public and create harmonious work culture. The programme, the assurances given should be based on truth and be treated as a debt to the people. Our primary duty is to spread knowledge among the people and take up responsibility and complete the work. There is lack of efficiency in our people. There are three people for every work whereas one person can complete the work in other countries” “My Memories” Sir M. Vishweswaraiah My Dear Chief Minister, I am presenting herewith interim report of the Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission. The terms of reference as given to the Commission focus on making the Government more responsive and people-friendly while bringing in greater levels of efficiency, accountability and transparency in Government functioning. Apart from the above, the Commission was also expected to look into strategies for reduction of corruption in the Government. The members of the Commission, Sriyuths S.B.Muddappa, Former Chief Secretary of Government of Karnataka, Blasius M.D’Souza, former Law Minister and the Chairmen, members of the 3 sub committees constituted by the Commission have, after detailed discussions, made various recommendations. The Secretary of the Commission, Smt. G.Latha Krishna Rao, IAS, has commendably drafted and researched the entire report. The Commission, after due deliberations, decided to submit an interim report covering three strategic levels of governance. The Commission has examined the administration in Secretariat, all levels within District and also studied critical areas of good governance covering areas of recruitment, transfers, civil service reforms and anti-corruption institutions. The interim report of the Commission contains specific recommendations on the above three areas. The other terms of reference would be examined subsequently and would form part oi the final report. For study of the Secretariat reforms and al the district level, the Commission has focused on two to three departments and given specific recommendations for improving their functioning. In order to examine several other areas in greater depth and cover all the other departments of the Government, Ihe Commission is also contemplating a functional review of all major departments in the State, covering all hierarchical levels. Such a study has so far not been done in the Government and is very critical to assess the needs of the people vis-a-vis the present policies and functions of department, the quality of implementation within the department and where department needs to do things differently to make it more effective and responsible to the people. The Ford Foundation, New Delhi, has expressed its desire to support the Commission in the conduct of such a functional review and we are examining the matter. All the recommendations as given in this interim report are the outcome of series of discussions, workshops, meetings, held with senior bureaucrats, employees’ associations, elected representatives, not only at State Head Quarters but also at district and village levels where the Commission had extensively toured. For the purpose of the interim report, a survey was also taken of the employees of 10 Secretariat departments to ascertain their views on various aspects of governance reforms. The findings of the survey form part of the interim report and I am sure would be very helpful to the Government in implementation of the Commission’s recommendations On behalf of the Commission, I hope that the recommendations in the interim report would be accepted and implemented expeditiously by the Government. With regards, Yours sincerely, Sri S.M. Krishna, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Karnataka, Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore. (HARANAHALLI RAM AS WAM Y) KARNATAKA ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS COMMISSION SUB COMMITTIEES: I) SUB COMMITTEE ON SECRETARIAT LEVEL REFORMS:- Chairman Dr. M.R. Tanga, MLC. Members 1) Sanjay Kaul, IAS. 2) C.S. Kedar, IAS. 3) Prof. M.C. Shanthamurthy, Secretary, Institute of Parliamentary Affairs, Bangalore. II) SUB COMMITTEE ON DISTRICT/TALUK LEVEL REFORMS Chairman : Ramesh Kumar, Former Speaker, Karnataka Legislative Assembly. Members 1) K.P. Pandey, IAS. 2) M.R. Srinivasa Murthy, IAS. 3) D.R. Patil, MIA. Ill) SUB COMMITTEE ON GOOD GOVERNANCE Chairm an Dr. Siddalingaiah, MLC. Members 1) Dr. S.N. Sangita, Professor and Head of Department, Development Administration Unit, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore. 2) M.S. Padmarajaiah, Bar-at-Law, Bangalore. VI Preface The main objective of the Commission is to bring in good governance through a new work culture by enhancing transparency, accountability and professionalism in the civil service. Also it is the endeavour of the Commission to usher in a people-friendly administration at all levels of governance. Simplification of procedures, prompt delivery of various services to the people with maximum efficiency and minimum cost is also critical factor in governance reforms. Rationalisation of the civil service to reduce the wage bill is also an important aspect of civil service reforms. The general perception of the people about the working of the government is negative. In a democracy, the government should be “of the people, by the people, and for the people”. The third element appears to be absent and the people generally do not feel that the civil service is working for them.