Recommendations to tighten Bihar administration

Patna, July 15: Bihar Administrative Reform Commission today recommended reorgainsation of government departments, closure of non-viable government undertakings and retrenchment of 'tainted' officers.

The committee, headed by former State Chief Secretary V S Dubey, submitted the first part of the recommendation, in which reorientation of 47 departments into 36 has been suggested.

The Committee also suggested reorganisation of 22 ministries for effective functioning.

Highlighting some of the main recomendations, Mr Dubey accompanied by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and six other members of the commission told mediapersons here today that financial powers should be delegated in the ministry and the department.

He said 23 institutions and government undertakings, which were running in losses, should be closed while other Corporations like Bihar State Police Construction Corporation, Bihar State Electricity Board, Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation and such undertakings should be reconstituted in the interest of the people.

''The government would be able to save Rs 500 crores annually if these reccomendations would be implemented,'' he said adding adjustments of the staffs of the non-viable public undertakings to other departments.

''The Panchayat system is the backbone of the administration and the commission has recomended for establishment of 'Panchayat Sarkar' at Panchayat level and a panchayat office should be set up from where all representatives of panchayat should function.

With this practice they would be available for the common people and their salary should be paid on recomendation of the concerned Mukhiya.

He also suggested administration at the Panchayat-level should be strengthened. Block, sub-divisions and municipal level for instant solution of the problems.

UNI