Central Government Urges States to Streamline Personnel Administration
In a call for enhanced collaboration, Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh, emphasized the importance of coordination between States and the Centre during the Annual Conference of Secretaries (Personnel/GAD) of States and Union Territories. The minister advocated for a ‘whole of the government’ approach to modernize personnel administration, eliminate procedural delays, and bolster capacity building across public services.
Highlighting a decade of governance reforms, Dr. Singh pointed out the focus on simplifying regulations, leveraging technology, and shifting towards outcome-oriented administration to enhance public service delivery. Notably, he mentioned that approximately 1,600 to 1,700 outdated rules have been abolished, including the attestation of certificates, while recruitment reform initiatives, such as the removal of interviews in some examinations, have significantly improved transparency and efficiency.
Dr. Singh further underscored the significance of continuous learning through Mission Karmayogi, which has expanded its scope from in-service officers to now include new recruits and even elected representatives at local bodies.
During his address, the minister acknowledged the ongoing challenge of delays in cadre reviews, which adversely affect administrative efficiency and public perception. He urged senior officials to take proactive ownership in addressing long-standing issues and cautioned against letting administrative proceedings stall without clear judicial directives. He also touched on the need for accurate communication regarding the Unified Pension Scheme, urging States to clarify existing misconceptions with stakeholders.
The interactive session saw representatives from various States discussing operational hurdles related to central deputation, cadre reviews, and service management. Issues such as staffing constraints affecting the release of officials for central duties and service shortages due to delayed cadre reviews were raised. In response, Dr. Singh recognized the unique challenges faced locally but warned that ad-hoc measures might disrupt the uniform implementation across the nation.
Rachna Shah, Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), stressed the importance of comprehensive cadre review proposals from States to ensure timely processing. She reported progress in completing IAS cadre reviews and efforts to expedite pending reviews for IPS and IFS. The need for regular updates to vigilance records and service data was also acknowledged by the minister.
Training and capacity building emerged as a central theme from the discussions. States expressed the need for advanced notifications regarding training programs to enhance planning and proposed more effective use of digital communication. Ms. Shah reassured the attendees that training calendars are finalized well in advance and that timely reminders are issued to boost participation.
The growing implementation of Mission Karmayogi and the iGOT platform was highlighted, with a notable trend of increased participation from State officials and availability of courses in regional languages. Plans to integrate iGOT with electronic HRMS and APAR systems were shared, aiming for a seamless connection between training and service records.
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