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No file should go through more than 4 layers: Cabinet secretary to departments

JayAtl

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NEW DELHI: The Cabinet secretary has asked government departments to become more nimble in decision-making — by reducing the number of layers that a file passes through to four at the most and referring disputes to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) or the Cabinet secretariat. Departments have also been asked to reduce the size of application forms to one page, wherever possible.

The instructions issued by Cabinet secretary Ajit Seth on Thursday came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with secretaries of all departments and are meant to make it simpler for citizens to deal with the government and also improve the quality of governance.

Apart from making the forms less intimidating by reducing their bulk, the over one-page letter has also asked secretaries to rely more on ICT tools for submission of information. "Every department should identify forms that are in vogue and shorten them, where possible, to one page only. (Seeking of unnecessary or irrelevant information should be discouraged)," the letter said.

The main focus is on "improved work culture" and better service delivery, said officials. So, ministries have been asked to identify and repeal at least 10 rules or processes - and archaic laws - "that are redundant and would not lead to any loss of efficiency". India has several laws dating back over a century which TOI has repeatedly suggested should be repealed.

In any case, efficiency is the bottom line and secretaries have to ensure that files should not pass through more than four layers. Starting with the section officer, to the deputy secretary or director, a file then moves to the joint secretary before landing on the secretary's desk and finally reaches the minister. In several cases, the file also goes to what are called "service ministries" such as law, personnel, finance and Planning Commission, where it languishes for weeks.
No file should go through more than 4 layers: Cabinet secretary to departments - The Times of India

This guy is just hitting it out of the park for me. His directives are so close to what we expect of our governance( style) in the US.

I never knew much about Modi other than liking his economic growth agenda.... but boy, what a pleasure to see such great tools of governance coming from him for India. If he pulls it off, he would undoubtedly take India into to the next level of greatness and I dare say more than than just a regional power.
 
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He is a doer not someone who wastes countless hours debating discussing and not coming to any conclusion. He is a no nonsense guy who wants results.

This is why the old "establishment " was fearful of him before elections and now critisizes him for dis empowering systems after elections.
 
This guy is a breath of fresh air! It's been 65 years of poodle faking since independence. It's better late than never. Seems India has started rolling at last, what with better governance and accountability at all levels.
 
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