08-29-2006, 07:09 AM
<!--emo&:argue--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/argue.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='argue.gif' /><!--endemo--> To ringfence babus from netas, a bold new civil service law in the making
G. AnanthakrishnanPosted online: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 0000 hrs Print EmailReforms: Draft Bill sets down a code of conduct that will allow officers to say no to superiors
NEW DELHI, AUGust 28:A strict, enforceable code of conduct that measures efficiency in tangible terms, rewards and punishes, a transparent system of transfers, the power to stand up and say no to a superior if his order violates the code, insulating the officer from political interference and protecting whistleblowers. These are among the sweeping reforms suggested in what could be the first attempt to ensure, legally at least, a merit-based and an apolitical bureaucracy.
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The Department of Personnel and Training has drawn up a draft Public Services Bill, 2006, and sent it to the Administrative Reforms Commission for its suggestions. The new law, when passed, will be applicable to the IAS, IPS, IFS and all Central services.
According to the draft, obtained by The Indian Express, a âPublic Service Codeâ will be drawn up by the Government in consultation with a Central authority within a year of the law coming into effect.
This code will specify, in concrete terms, the dos and donâts for public servants to work âwith due regard to diversity...without discrimination of caste, community, religion, gender or class.â It will establish a mechanism to monitor performance and efficiency.
âThe interface between the political executive and public service will be clearly established (by the Code) based on the principles of political neutrality, professional excellence and integrity,â says the draft.
Any breach would incur punishment ranging from a reprimand, a reduction in classification or salary to termination of service.
The author of the code, the Central Authority, which will play a pivotal role under the Act, will remain free of political interference. Chairperson and members of the Authority shall be appointed by the President on the recommendations of a Committee comprising of the Prime Minister, a Supreme Court judge and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
The Chairperson and members will, however, not be MPs or MLAs or hold any office with any political party.
Another major feature of the law is the stress on a merit-based public service. To achieve this, according to the draft, a Performance Management System will be drawn up for all employees under which there will be performance indicators and measurement of the outcome and impact with regard to development priorities.
Grades under this will be taken into account in matters of budget allocation to the departments and other entitlements.
There is also a provision to address the civil servantsâ concern about the stability of service. For this, the bill calls on the Central Authority to ensure that âtransfers and postings of public servants are undertaken in a fair and objective manner and that the tenure of the Public Servant in a post is appropriately determined and is maintained consistent with the need to maintain continuity and the requirements of good governance.â
It even goes to the extent of giving a public servant the freedom to decide whether he or she should or not carry out an order of a superior, if such an order is against the Code.
In such case, the Central Authority will give the officer the opportunity to raise the issue at an appropriate forum without fear of victimisation.
The draft Bill also calls on the government to put in place a scheme to protect whistleblower public servants in the system, who report suspected improper governance and actions in their workplace.
Meanwhile, the Administrative Reforms Commission has shot off queries to the representatives of society and civil servants on the draft Bill. Going a step ahead, the ARC wants to answer questions like whether only career-based civil servants were always best suited to occupy top governmental positions or whether there could be lateral entry.
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'><b>Carrying forward the question of merit, it has also sought to know if system of weeding out as existing in the armed forces could be extended to civil services too</b></span>. Though the ARC was to give its report by August end, sources said this was unlikely as many states had not yet responded.
anantha.krishnan@expressindia.com
G. AnanthakrishnanPosted online: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 0000 hrs Print EmailReforms: Draft Bill sets down a code of conduct that will allow officers to say no to superiors
NEW DELHI, AUGust 28:A strict, enforceable code of conduct that measures efficiency in tangible terms, rewards and punishes, a transparent system of transfers, the power to stand up and say no to a superior if his order violates the code, insulating the officer from political interference and protecting whistleblowers. These are among the sweeping reforms suggested in what could be the first attempt to ensure, legally at least, a merit-based and an apolitical bureaucracy.
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Govtâs incentive for clean power projects: Earn carbon credits
Hiding in the House
The Department of Personnel and Training has drawn up a draft Public Services Bill, 2006, and sent it to the Administrative Reforms Commission for its suggestions. The new law, when passed, will be applicable to the IAS, IPS, IFS and all Central services.
According to the draft, obtained by The Indian Express, a âPublic Service Codeâ will be drawn up by the Government in consultation with a Central authority within a year of the law coming into effect.
This code will specify, in concrete terms, the dos and donâts for public servants to work âwith due regard to diversity...without discrimination of caste, community, religion, gender or class.â It will establish a mechanism to monitor performance and efficiency.
âThe interface between the political executive and public service will be clearly established (by the Code) based on the principles of political neutrality, professional excellence and integrity,â says the draft.
Any breach would incur punishment ranging from a reprimand, a reduction in classification or salary to termination of service.
The author of the code, the Central Authority, which will play a pivotal role under the Act, will remain free of political interference. Chairperson and members of the Authority shall be appointed by the President on the recommendations of a Committee comprising of the Prime Minister, a Supreme Court judge and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
The Chairperson and members will, however, not be MPs or MLAs or hold any office with any political party.
Another major feature of the law is the stress on a merit-based public service. To achieve this, according to the draft, a Performance Management System will be drawn up for all employees under which there will be performance indicators and measurement of the outcome and impact with regard to development priorities.
Grades under this will be taken into account in matters of budget allocation to the departments and other entitlements.
There is also a provision to address the civil servantsâ concern about the stability of service. For this, the bill calls on the Central Authority to ensure that âtransfers and postings of public servants are undertaken in a fair and objective manner and that the tenure of the Public Servant in a post is appropriately determined and is maintained consistent with the need to maintain continuity and the requirements of good governance.â
It even goes to the extent of giving a public servant the freedom to decide whether he or she should or not carry out an order of a superior, if such an order is against the Code.
In such case, the Central Authority will give the officer the opportunity to raise the issue at an appropriate forum without fear of victimisation.
The draft Bill also calls on the government to put in place a scheme to protect whistleblower public servants in the system, who report suspected improper governance and actions in their workplace.
Meanwhile, the Administrative Reforms Commission has shot off queries to the representatives of society and civil servants on the draft Bill. Going a step ahead, the ARC wants to answer questions like whether only career-based civil servants were always best suited to occupy top governmental positions or whether there could be lateral entry.
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'><b>Carrying forward the question of merit, it has also sought to know if system of weeding out as existing in the armed forces could be extended to civil services too</b></span>. Though the ARC was to give its report by August end, sources said this was unlikely as many states had not yet responded.
anantha.krishnan@expressindia.com