Sunday, September 4 2005 10:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The issue of reorganization of ministries and departments and their role in the context of globalisation will be the priority areas for the newly constituted second Administrative Reforms Commission.

A 13-point terms of reference for the Commission, headed by former Karnataka Chief Minister Veerappa Moily, wants it to strengthen the framework for efficient, economical, clean sensitive, objective and agile administrative machinery.

It has also been asked to define ethics in governance to strengthen pro-active vigilance to eliminate corruption and harassment of honest civil servants, including limiting executive discretion and addressing systemic deficiencies in reluctance to punish the corrupt.

The Commission, which has been set up after four decades, would also identify procedures, rules and regulations and factors, which lead to corruption, suggest measures to combat the menace and also provide a framework for their periodical review in consultation with the stakeholders.

The Commission would suggest improvements for a harmonious relationship and formulate a code of conduct for different organs of the Government, including relationship between political executive and permanent civil service.

It would also review operation of federal relationship to better the civil service performance that will include framework for continuing interaction between the Centre and the states.