On All India Services and Centre-State Co-operation for better Administration

All India Services are unique feature of the Indian Constitution. The broad objectives in setting up All India Services relate to

♤ facilitating liaison between the Union and States;

♤ promoting uniform standards of administration;

♤ enabling the administrative officers of the Union to be in touch with field realities;

♤ helping the State administrative machinery to obtain the best available talent with wider outlook and broader perspectives;

♤ reducing political influence in recruitment and promote discipline and control in administration.

Considering the importance of these objectives, the Commission strongly recommends the constitution of few other All India Services in sectors like Health, Education, Engineering and Judiciary. They existed prior to Independence which contributed significantly to the quality of administration.

There are many issues relating to the administration of All India Services which are appropriately discussed in the report of the Administrative Reforms Commission and are of great relevance. However, the Commission would recommend proper integration of All India Services in the context of the introduction of the third tier of governance. The local bodies are in dire need of building capacities and strengthening the planning process for which the officers of All India Services can play a lead role.

Equally important is the system of encadrement of officers of state Governments and local bodies into the All India Services. Structural integration at all three levels requires clear demarcation of criteria for encadrement of posts, objective performance appraisal system, systematic career development and professionalization plans and a rational system of postings and transfers. There should be constitution of an Advisory Council under the Chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary with the Secretary Personnel and the concerned Chief Secretaries of States.