New Delhi: From Initiating a ‘delayed’ process to streamline the movement of files across ministries and departments to ‘delegation of financial power’ to joint secretaries to make the bureaucracy autonomous, the central government has sought to make the administration system in the country “more reforms have begun to be implemented. Kushal”, ThePrint has learnt.
The reforms, which are being implemented across 74 ministries and departments, are part of the guidelines listed in the ‘Secretariat Reforms’ report published by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) last month.
Talking about the ‘delayed’ process, DARPG secretary V. Srinivas told ThePrint, “The number of levels that should carry the file should not be more than four, one of the major steps to delay is that the joint secretary Will report directly to Secretary and Additional Secretary. The secretary will serve as the head of the bureau.
Earlier Additional Secretaries used to be the administrative bridge between Secretaries and Joint Secretaries.
“In the past, files used to move through six to seven levels, after delays, files in 56 ministries and departments move less than 4 levels, thereby increasing efficiency in decision making,” he added.
“Out of 74 ministries and departments that have submitted self-assessment forms, 91 per cent of the ministries and departments have delayed. However, there are still some ministries where the Joint Secretary is reporting through an Additional Secretary. according to the report.
The report states that 67 ministries have implemented the delay process and Seven has yet to do so.
“Ministries should be advised that no physical papers or receipts should be generated for intra/inter-ministerial movement. Ministries should ensure that a file should not exceed four levels.
The reforms also include delegation of financial power to joint secretaries, under which the concerned officer can take a decision on a project or a particular program instead of waiting for the approval of the project or file.
According to the report, 97 per cent ministries and departments (72 of them) have issued delegation orders.
Apart from this, the government has also enhanced the ‘Desk Officer System’, promoted it and recruited more officers. A desk officer is a section officer who works as per the powers delegated by the Ministries and Departments such as signing financial sanctions, verifying affidavits in court, etc. As per Manual of Office Procedure of the Central Secretariat. A desk officer may handle confidential papers and files.
“So far, the desk officer system has been implemented in 28 ministries and departments. Section officers or desk officers of the level of Under Secretary function with considerable autonomy. There are 264 desk officers in the Ministry of External Affairs. This system best embodies the policy of ‘maximum governance, minimum government’, said a senior IAS officer of DARPG.
“In 2022, 11 ministry and department desk officers were on the system and now it has been doubled. It is a big jump from March 2022 to March 2023.
(Editing by Anumeha Saxena)
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