Friday, April 8 2005 14:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet today (Apr 8, 2005) decided to set up second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC), to prepare a blueprint for revamping the public administration system across the country.

The Commission would go into the whole gamut of issues relating to public administration and submit its report to the Government within one year of its constitution, Information and Broadcasting Minister S Jaipal Reddy said in New Delhi after the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The first such Commission was set up way back in 1966, with Morarji Desai, as its head, to examine the public administration system and make recommendations for reform and reorganisation.

A sum of Rs 8 crore has been provided towards expenditure of the ARC, Reddy said, adding that the panel, to be created as a Commission of Inquiry with its chairman enjoying Cabinet rank, would have four members and a member secretary.

Among the issues on which the panel is expected to give its recommendations are: the organisational structure of the Central Government, ethics in governance, refurbishing of personnel administration, strengthening of financial management systems, steps to ensure effective administration at the State district, local and Panchayati levels.

Besides these, it would also deal with issues concerning the federal polity, crisis management, public order and promote e-governance.