Prez made “The GoI (Allocation of Business) Rules” under Art 77– It stipulates that business of GoI shall be transacted in Min, Depts, Secretariats & Offices specified in its 1st sch
AoBS forms Basis of structure of GoI– It specifies functional division of work among various Depts—Demarcates their turf to avoid any ambiguity w.r.t R/S
Attached or Subordinate Offices—Under Depts
For providing executive direction required in policy implementation
Repository of technical information & advise Dept on tech aspects dealt by them.
Function as field est for detailed execution of policies
Strengths of the Existing Structure
Time Tested System—Contributed to nation building + creation of an inclusive state.
Continuity & Stability— As staffed by permanent C.S has provided continuity & stability—contributed to maturing of our democracy.
Commitment to Constitution—Political neutrality
Link b/w policy making & its implementation—Govt’s framework has facilitated a staffing pattern which promotes such link
A national outlook amongst public functionaries—National integration.
Undue emphasis on routine functions—Less focus on policy analysis & policy making
Rigid hierarchy with too many levels / Multi-layered structure—leads to
Delays in D.M
Absence of team work
Fragmentation of functions
Diffused A/C.
Way—2nd ARC
Subjects which are closely inter-related should be dealt with together—A golden mean b/w Need for functional specialization & adoption of an integrated approach should be adopted.
Separation of policy-making functions from execution—Ministries should give more emphasis on policy-making & delegate implementation to operational units—Bcz policy-making today is a specialized function, which requires a broader perspective, domain expertise while Implementation require in-depth knowledge of subject & managerial skills.
Coordinated implementation—Proliferation of vertical Dept makes this impossible
Flatter structures—↓ No. of levels + encourage team work—Structure of org should be tailor-made to suit specific objectives—Conventional approach is to adopt uniform vertical hierarchies.
Well defined accountability—Clearer demarcation of R/S help in developing a performance Mgt system
Appropriate delegation—Principle of subsidiarity
Criticality of operational units—Rationalize Govt staff pattern
Inter-disciplinary approach needed to respond effectively to emerging challenges.
Proliferation of Ministries & Departments / Size of cabinet should be big as governmental work justifies & as big PM can manage as a team. How far is the efficacy of Govt inversely related to size of cabinet? Discuss.
As Cabinet is the Nerve centre of GoI— It should be framed a/c to requirement—Optimum size
Reflects needs of Rep democracy for a diverse country like India.
Disadvantages of Large cabinet / CoM
Not conducive for healthy Democracy— More no. of Minister—Less A/C of Govt
Overlap of duties, Lack of co-ord—Turf War
Inability to adopt an integrated approach to National priorities & problems.
Fragmentation of functions
Ex—Diff aspects of transport are dealt by diff Ministries—
MoCA—Civil aviation;
Ministry of Railways—Rail transport
Min of Shipping
Min of Road Transport & Highways
MoUD— Urban transport systems
Advantages of mid-size / Compact cabinet
Less burden on Public Exchequer
Better co-ord + Integrated approach—Team work
Splitting of & equal sharing of R/S
Disadvantages of small/gigantic cabinet
Excessive centralisation of power
Excessive burden
conflict of interest
Overlapping of duties
PM being leader of Govt need compact cabinet to steer members in a more precise manner
Pragmatic approach
Integrated national approach very imp—Ex—to Implement proposed NCMC or Integrated travelling card
Way—Need to strike a balance b/w requirements of functional specialization & need for a holistic approach.
Thus to evolve an integrated approach—
Categorize functions of Govt into a reasonable no. of groups—DRSCs are good ex of integration of inter-connected subject matters—Will enable Govt to streamline ministries & Dept and retaining only those which have direct relevance for core governance functions.
Adequate delegation & division of work
Office of cabinet secretary be used with greater efficiency
Committee of secretaries is a good platform for Inter-ministerial co-ord.
