2nd ARC Recommendations
- The civil services must maintain their political neutrality and impartiality.
- The political executive and the civil services bear equal responsibility for this.
- This feature should be addressed in both the Ministerial Code of Ethics and the Code of Conduct for Public Servants.
- While reviewing the definition of corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988, it should be noted that “abuse of authority unduly favouring or harming someone” and “obstruction of justice” should be regarded as offences under the Act.
NITI Ayog Recommendations
- Increase the teeth-to-tail ratio by promoting an officer-oriented culture and focusing on increasing the number of officers.
- Objectivity in the hiring and placing process: Disseminate job descriptions and selection criteria widely, and eliminate arbitrary components.
- Reduce the number of civil services: The existing 60+ distinct civil services at the federal and state levels must be reduced through service rationalization and harmonisation. Recruits should be placed in a central talent pool, which would then disperse individuals based on their qualifications and the job description.
- Encourage lateral entry: Bringing in experts from higher levels of government will bring much-needed experience.
Hota Committee on Civil Services Reform
- A set tenure of at least three years for a higher civil service officer, as well as annual performance requirements.
- A Civil Services Act must be enacted to give the Civil Services Board / Establishment Board legislative status in both the states and the Government of India.
- If a Chief Minister disagrees with the recommendations of the Civil Services Board/Establishment Board, he must explain why in writing.
- An officer transferred before the end of his usual tenure, even on the Chief Minister’s directives, may bring the matter to a three-member Ombudsman panel.