Doc gives prescription to check corruption; but is Manmohan Singh serious about implementing ethical governance codes?

PRIME Minister Dr Manmohan Singh wants design of government’s development programmes to be transparent, simpler, decentralized and less discretionary so as to bring in accountability to the administrative system. While addressing a conference of CBI and state anti-corruption bureaus recently, Prime Minister of India said that recommendations of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) on ‘Ethics in Governance’ were examined in great detail, and some of those could be implemented. He made a few very significant points: a) Corruption distorts the rule of law and weakens institutions of governance. It hurts economic growth apart from hindering attempts to build a just, fair and equitable society. b) Inflated project costs consume scarce national resources which could have been better used in other important areas in the service of our people. c) Pervasive corruption tarnishes our image and it discourages investors who expect fair treatment and transparent dealings when dealing with public authorities. Finally, Dr Singh made the most important point that while petty cases get tackled quickly, the big fish often escape punishment. “This has to change. Rapid, fair and accurate investigation of allegations of corruption in high places should remain your utmost priority. The nation expects you to act firmly, swiftly and without fear or favour. And you have the constitutional and legal protection and safeguards to do so,” he told while addressing officials of various investigating and anti-corruption agencies. But will Dr Singh emphatically say the same in one of his cabinet meetings if he is really serious about warning the “big fishes” that he was talking about? After all, if the Congress completes a 10-year term, chances are that many of the corrupt politicians, or big fishes in his own words, could be from his own party! Read two more previous prescriptions given by Dr Singh. a) "Doc’s prescription: Manmohan Singh asks PMO officials to think creatively" posted on June 12, 2009. b) "Doc’s prescription to diplomats: Link diplomacy to India’s domestic economy, says Manmohan Singh" posted on August 26, 2009 Looking for meeting the PM? Try your luck The requests for appointments to Prime Minister may be addressed either to the Prime Minister himself or to the private secretary to Prime Minister. The telephonic contact may be made at 011-23018939 in appointment cell. Indian Railway employees clinch some of the highest sports awards Sushil Kumar (northern railway), wrestler was awarded with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the highest individual sports award of the country on last Saturday. Jaidev Bisht (northern railway), boxing coach was honoured with prestigious Dronacharya Award and Mangal Singh Champia (eastern railway), archer and Ms Surinder Kaur (northern railway), women hockey player were also been honoured with Arjuna Awards.

State officers meet in New Delhi today to brainstorm on administrative reforms

IN THE first ever get-together to brainstorm on issues related to administrative reforms, secretaries of departments of administrative reforms of various states and union territories are taking part in a conference to be held in New Delhi on Friday. The conference will focus on the implementation of second Administrative Reform Commission (ARC) recommendation pertaining to the states. The conference, to be inaugurated by Prithviraj Chavan, minister of state for personnel, public grievances and pensions, aims to create a national platform to share experiences of the states in the field of reforms or initiatives undertaken by the department of administrative reforms in the states. According to a government release, this is a part of an agenda to improve public service delivery, make the administration effective, transparent and accountable. The conference will provide a forum for the various states to highlight the issues being faced by them in the area of administrative reforms, the release said. Issues that are likely to come up for discussion include organizational structure of the administrative departments in the states, budget allocation and reform activities in addition to brainstorming challenges faced by them in the execution of reforms activities and assistance required by them from the Centre. babu blogger in his post “Quick fix: Govt discusses cutting down of file movements” dated June 27, 2009, said how the number of level through which a file passes for a decision would not exceed three if a 26-page note that was doing the rounds in power corridors had its way. Govt issues yet another memo on prevention of sexual harassment Issuing yet another office memo, the government reiterated its commitment regarding prevention of sexual harassment of women in government. The memo issued recently by department of personnel and training (DoPT) was related to CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 - Guidelines regarding prevention of sexual harassment of working women in the workplace. It had earlier issued a memo dated July 21, 2009. In fact, a provision was added in 2004, on inquiry procedure which was laid down in the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965. Also read, “DoPT reminds government officers and staff of guidelines on “sexual harassment” dated July 25, 2009. Spotting the babuz With the announcement of the fifth most powerful bureaucrat in the country, the BoI (Babus of India) list of 5 top babuz will be completed. Watch out this space to get the complete list of India’s 5 most powerful bureaucrats based on feedback received from senior bureaucrats and politicians.

ARC recommendations to be implemented with speed, says Prime Minister; RTI Act to be improved

IN AN attempt to make public administration more efficient, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh made a commitment in his Independence Day speech that the government would speed up implementing recommendations of the Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) to strengthen governance. Prime Minister also said that Right to Information (RTI) Act would be improved further so that it becomes more effective in bringing in accountability and transparency in public life. “We will act with speed on the recommendations of the Administrative Reforms Commission to strengthen governance,” he said while emphasizing the need to make public administration more efficient. In fact, 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission or ARC, chaired by Veerappa Moily came out with a number of reports on administrative reforms, but most of its recommendations have not been implemented so far. Significantly, Prime Minister Dr Singh devoted a large part of his Independence Day speech on the need to have better administration, decentralization and effective delivery of public services both in urban and rural areas. “Renewed efforts will be made to decentralize public administration through the Panchayati Raj Institutions and to ensure greater involvement of people in it. Initiative will be taken for a new partnership between the civil society and the government so that tax payers’ money is better spent,” he said. He said the government would make special efforts to strengthen the administrative machinery for rural programmes. “Those who live in villages and semi-urban areas should get services similar to the residents of urban areas. Communication and Information Technology can go a long way in achieving this objective. Recently, we have set up the Unique Identification Authority of India. This is a historic step to link up the whole country through a high quality administrative arrangement. We expect the first set of identity numbers to be available in the next one to one and a half years,” he said.