REFURBISHING OF CIVIL SERVICES IN INDIA : An Appraisal of Second ARC'S Report

The roots of the civil services go back a long way in Indian history. Kautilya's Arthasastra, spoke extensively about the basic elements of administrative apparatus of the past, which was followed up by the Mauryans, Mughals and other rulers of the past However, the significant changes came with the implementation of Macaulay's report, though it had a focus on sustaining the colonial administration. The advent of 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts have brought in major changes in the political dimensions. Rural and urban loca governments have been enabled to become institutions of self government and to make them meaningfully function, the existing system of administration of departments and the District Collectorate has to undergo fundamental changes. However, this has not happened to the extent envisioned. In this paper, an effort is being made to analyse the recommendations of Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) which was brought out during 2007-2008, with specific thrust on the sixth report on 'local governance' and tenth report on 'restructuring of civil services' in the country, with its focus on the planning exercises. The paper puts forward certain practical suggestions towards refurbishing of civil services, in the political context of 'working with' the local government institutions.