The devolution of power to local bodies was given a stamp of approval by the 73rd Constitutional Amendments Act 1992 on Panchayats.

The three-tier system was incorporated in Article 243B as follows: “There shall be constituted in every State, panchayats at the village, intermediate and district levels in I accordance with the provisions of this article”.

The objective of devolution of power to panchayats was, namely, preparation of plans for economic development and securing Social justice as may be entrusted to them, including those relation to the1 matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule.

Compulsions of Liberalisation

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More recently, with a wave of economic liberalisation sweeping away the old system of permit and license raj, administration is now required to attain new heights of efficiency and quick disposal of business. This has resulted in restructuring and streamlining of the administration paving the way for the new ethos in administration.

Concept of Efficiency Adult

The report from Efficiency Unit, entitled “Improving Management in Government: the Next Step”, had recommended following three main priorities to be pursued with vigour in service delivery, in the department and in the Central departments of Whitehall, the Treasury and the Cabinet Office:

1. The work of each department must be organised in a way which focuses on the job to be done; the systems and structures must enhance the effective delivery of policies and services.

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2. The management of each department must ensure that their staff has the relevant experience and skills needed to do the tasks that are essential for effective government.

3. There must be real and sustained pressure on and within each department for continuous improve­ment in the value for money obtained in the delivery of policies and services.

Recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission

In February 1997, the Fifth Pay Commission submitted its report.

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(1) It aimed reducing the role of Central Government to the core functions;

(2) Shift some items on Concurrent list, like Education to the State;

(3) Bringing down the number of schemes listed as Centrally-sponsored schemes to 10, and State Government to have a large share of revenue receipts.

(4) Abolition of certain ministries

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(5) Amalgamation of certain departments in ministries and reduction in the size of ministries.

(6) With regard to restructuring of Government, in order tone up the efficiency of Government and to obtain quicker and better results in administration. The following recommendations were made by the Commission.

(a) The number of secretaries to government should be drastically reduced. For example, since Health is a State subject, more administrative power should rest with States. And, there­fore, the three secretaries in the Ministries of Health should be replaced by one; the same should apply to the Ministry of Industry.

(b) The Department of Programme Implementation be abolished and the Prime Minister’s Of­fice should have a less visible role.

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(7) Twenty-four ministries and departments should be merged in the existing eleven Ministries.

(8) The Government should abolish all 3.5 lakhs vacant posts in one stroke. This will straightway reduce flab. Put a freeze on recruitment of auxiliary and supporting staff.

(9) Workout a 10-year manpower reduction exercise. Plan for a 30% cut across the board within a time­frame of 10 years. Launch campaigns for retirement of a compulsory nature in departments where redundancies are noticed.

Very recently, a Parliamentary Committee has recommended that in order to increase the efficiency and output of the services, a middle level or mid-career examination system should be introduced within the civil services, in order to give a fillip to efficiency and to improve performance and ability.

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Introduction of Information Technology

With the introduction of information technology in administration, a new vista has been opened on the Indian administration scenario.

It has given a tremendous boost to efficiency and quickened the pace of decision-making process. Information technology has come to stay in India which now forms an integral part of Indian Administration from the grassroots to the uppermost echelons of Government. In the decades to come, it will become a vital part of our administrative machinery.

Need to Take Closer Look at Policies of Transfers and Postings

One factor which has eroded performance and efficiency is transfer policies adopted by various Govern­ments. It has been noticed that transfers are resorted to generally on the eve of elections to post pliant officers in sensitive areas. Frequent changes in Government also result in numerous transfers.

Conclusion

It is necessary to emphasise that administration must be viewed in a holistic manner by which it is suggested that both regulatory and developmental functions have to be fused and looked upon as dependent on each other.

It is not merely enough to have ‘growth with justice’ but also ‘growth with stability’ and this is where the strength and efficiency of the administration has to reveal its real charac­ter.

This can be done by the Government by trimming the fat of its bloated bureaucracy, slip down administrative overheads in the shape of reduced inputs and provide a strict regime. Efficiency has acquired a new meaning that is, having a leaner and fitter bureaucracy. Saving will stimulate and im­prove efficiency and effectiveness.

It can be said that reducing inputs of money and manpower reduces cost directly and stimulates productivity, and forces officials to cut out waste and irrelevant expenditure, resulting in greater harmony, more disciplined performance, and increase in efficiency.