Administrative reforms in Kerala
Administrative Reform is a tool or process for improving administrative effectiveness and efficiency. Former Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan resigned from the post of chairman of the Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission on 30 January 2021.
Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC)
Kerala has had four Administrative Reforms Commissions since its formation in 1956. The first Commission, under the chairmanship of late Shri. E. M. S. Namboodiripad, was constituted in 1957 and the second Commission was set up under Shri. M. K. Vellodi, ICS in 1965.The third one was under the chairmanship of Shri E. K. Nayanar in 1997. The third one was submitted in 2000-2001.
The fourth commission set up under former chief minister Shri V. S. Achuthanandan in 2016.
Former Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan resigned from the post of chairman of the Kerala Administrative Reforms Commission on 30 January 2021.
The Vision of 3rd ARC
The Third Administrative Reforms Commission has developed a vision of responsive administration and its recommendations were designed to attain this vision. The salient features of the vision are:- A people centered form of governance is to be aimed at.
- Government at all levels has to give utmost importance to the citizens, and the common man in particular.
- Decentralized governance resulting in the creation of vibrant Local self- governments with clear functional domains, and the power, authority and resources to discharge the assigned functions autonomously, is most conducive for genuine people’s participation.
- Administration has to become more efficient for which greater professionalism is called for which can be achieved through constant training and through scientific methods of performance assessment.
- The administration has also to be effective achieving the objectives for which it exists.
- There is need for greater accountability to the people. This can be best achieved by creation of systems institutions facilitating people’s participation.
- The Commission has vision of a simple and rational administrative system which is understood by all and which is capable of rising up to the expectations of everyone.
- There is a heavy cost in running government and there has to be a constant assessment of costs and return Society has to get the value for the money it spends on administration.
- In order to attain this vision, one time reform alone would not be sufficient. There has to be a dynamic product… with constant refining and redefining.