The Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) is the commission appointed by the Government of India for giving recommendations for reviewing the public administration system of India. The first ARC was established on 5 January 1966. The Administrative Reforms Commission was initially chaired by Morarji Desai, and later on K. Hanumanthaiah became its chairman when Desai became the Deputy Prime Minister of India.
The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was constituted on 31 August 2005, as a Commission of Inquiry, under the Chairmanship of Veerappa Moily for preparing a detailed blueprint for revamping the public administrative system.
First Administrative Reforms Commission-5 January 1966
The first ARC was constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs under Government of India by resolution no. 40/3/65-AR(P) dated 5 January 1966. In the resolution, the composition of the ARC, the mandate of the commission and the procedures to be followed were described.
Mandate
The Commission was mandated to give consideration to the need for ensuring the highest standards of efficiency and integrity in the public services, and for making public administration a fit instrument for carrying out the social and economic policies of the Government and achieving social and economic goals of development, as also one which is responsive to the people. In particular, the Commission is to consider the following: The machinery of the Government of India and its procedures of work; The machinery for planning at all levels; Center-State relationships; Financial administration; Personnel administration; Economic administration; Administration at the State level; District administration; Agricultural administration; and Problems of redress of citizen's grievances.
Exclusions
The Commissions may exclude from its purview the detailed examination of administration of defence, railways, external affairs, security and intelligence work, as also subjects such as educational administration already being examined by a separate commission. The Commission will, however, be free to take the problems of these sectors into account in recommending reorganization of the machinery of the Government as a whole or of any of its common service agencies.
Recommendation Reports
The Commission submitted the following 20 reports before winding up in mid-1970s: Problems of Redress of Citizens Grievances (Interim) Machinery for Planning Public Sector Undertakings Finance, Accounts & Audit Machinery for Planning (Final) Economic Administration The Machinery of GOI and its procedures of work Life Insurance Administration Central Direct Taxes Administration Administration of UTs & NEFA Personnel Administration Delegation of Financial & Administrative Powers Center-State Relationships State Administration Small Scale Sector Railways Treasuries Reserve Bank of India Posts and Telegraphs Scientific Departments
The above 20 reports contained 537 major recommendations. Based on inputs received from various administrative Ministries, a report indicating implementation position was placed before the Parliament in November, 1977.
Second Administrative Reforms Commission-31 August 2005
The Second ARC was set up with a resolution no. K-11022/9/2004-RC of the Government of India as a committee of inquiry to prepare a detailed blueprint for revamping the public administration system.
Composition of the Second ARC
Veerappa Moily - Chairperson
V. Ramachandran - Member
Dr. A.P. Mukherjee - Member
Dr. A.H. Kalro - Member
Jayaprakash Narayan - Member
Vineeta Rai - Member-Secretary
Veerappa Moily resigned with effect from 1 April 2009. V. Ramachandran was appointed chairman. Jayaprakash Narayan resigned with effect from 1 September 2007.
Mandate
The Commission was given the mandate to suggest measures to achieve a proactive, responsive, accountable, sustainable and efficient administration for the country at all levels of the government. The Commission was asked to, inter alia, consider the following :