The Hindu Business Line : Jharkhand getting ready for major administrative changes

Ranchi, June 11 Jharkhand, which has been under the President’s Rule since January 19, is preparing for large-scale administrative changes and introducing systemic corrections ahead of its 2009-10 Budget approval by Parliament in July.

Mr A.K. Basu, Chief Secretary, Government of Jharkhand, told Business Line here recently that major steps being initiated included reduction and consolidation of departments – from 43 to 25 – plugging loopholes in the conduct of businesses by the executive with wider delegation of powers and setting up an empowered committee with judicial mandate to handle public grievances.

Senior Government officials indicated that the Council of Advisors would soon recommend the relevant measures to the State Governor for approval.

Earlier, successive popular Governments encouraged the culture of “discretion of a Minister” instead of relying on rules or standing orders, creating a jam of sorts in the functioning of the executive, causing delays and giving rise to the allegation of rampant corruption.

Arming Panel

The Ranchi High Court, which was flooded with public interest litigations against the State Government and public servants in the past few years, has in its executive jurisdiction suggested formation of an empowered panel to handle such cases.

“The idea is to lend judicial backing to the proposed panel, which would shortly be formed with the approval of the High Court,” the Chief Secretary explained.

The delegation of financial-decision-making powers to the Cabinet and three-tier administrative layers would be re-established and any violation would be dealt with in accordance with procedures, officials said.

To tackle the serious problem posed by extremists in 18 of the 24 districts, an administrative reshuffle, including change of district commissioners and superintendents of police, was imminent in 10 districts, it was pointed out.

Development Projects

As panchayat elections could not be conducted (the Supreme Court has the matter before it for consideration), senior bureaucrats and advisors said an attempt was now being made to reach villages with Central as well as State governments’ schemes with a sense of urgency and appropriate delivery.

Road, irrigation, electrification and National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme were on top on the agenda for the development thrust in the remote areas and the State was conducting a fresh survey to ensure a clean BPL families’ list, said Mr G. Krishnan, Advisor to the Governor.

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