Gujarat announces administrative reforms panel to improve efficiency of services

Adhia, a retired IAS officer of Gujarat cadre who is also non-executive chairman of GIFT City, Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) and Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL), has been announced to head the Commission, for which a government notification is expected coming week. In-principle approval for the Commission is already in place.

He will head the committee of five members who will be appointed under his chairmanship to make necessary changes in the administrative structure and procedures of the state.

Senior government officials revealed that the Gujarat government had consulted reports and recommendations along with constitution of other state commissions, including Kerala and Karnataka, before making the announcement. Sources revealed that over 15 reports of Kerala and Karnataka Commissions that gave over 5,000 recommendations were reviewed by the Gujarat government.

“The major difference between the Gujarat Administrative Reforms Commission and other states is the constitution of its members. While in other states, the members are from outside the state government like a set of retired IAS officers who are supported by the government, in Gujarat, it will be officials on top positions within the government machinery,” a senior government official told The Indian Express.

Authorities said that through this Commission, Gujarat is trying to contribute to the 2047 vision of Viksit Gujarat and Viksit Bharat. Lately, Gujarat government released its vision document for Viksit Gujarat @2047 along with formation of Gujarat Rajya Institution for Transformation (GRIT) based on the model of NITI Aayog, which is aimed at formulating strategic schemes for various sectors considering long-term and short-term objectives of Viksit Gujarat 2047.

“To achieve the goal of a developed Gujarat based on this roadmap, it is necessary to increase the efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness of the administrative system in Gujarat. The Gujarat Administrative Reforms Commission will be functional to conduct a comprehensive review of all these matters and carry out a comprehensive study of the administrative structure and administration of the state, suggest reforms in it and consider whether there is scope for making necessary changes,” a senior government official told The Indian Express.

The five members will include the Chief Secretary; Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary/Secretary (Personnel Division) General Administration Department (GAD); Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary/Secretary, Science and Technology Department; Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary/Secretary, Finance Department; and Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary/Secretary (Administrative Reforms, Training Division and NRIs), GAD.

“The first-ever Gujarat Administrative Reforms Commission will study and consider the administrative and governance structure, rationalisation, optimisation and utilisation of manpower and human resource management, financial management and resource optimisation, decentralisation and local governance, use of technology and innovation, monitoring and evaluation framework, and submit recommendations to the government,” said a senior official familiar with the matter.