The Secretariat is concerned with setting the broader policies and goals of the State Government while the responsibility for achieving these policies and executing the orders rests with heads of executive departments. These executive agencies, as a rule, are located outside the Secretariat and constitute distinct organisational entities referred to as Directorates.
Definition of Directorates:
Directorates are the executive arm of the state government; they translate into action the policies that arc framed by the State Secretariat. Even though the terms ‘Directorates’ and ‘Executive Agencies’ are often used interchangeably, Directorates are nothing but one type of executive agency.
Directorates are classified into two categories – Attached Offices and Subordinate Offices.
The Attached Offices are responsible for providing executive direction required for the implementation of the policies laid down by the Ministry to which they are attached. They also serve as repository of technical information and advice to the Ministry on technical aspects of the questions dealt with by them.
The Subordinate Offices function as field establishments or as the agencies responsible for the detailed execution of the decisions of government. They generally function under the direction of an Attached Office.
Thus, the Attached Offices have in essence a two-fold function. First, they furnish technical data and advice to the Ministry to which they are attached. The second function of the Attached Office is to provide executive directions to the agencies, which are responsible for implementing the policies of government. As contrasted with the attached Office, a Subordinate Office functions as the field establishment or as the agency responsible for the detailed execution of the policies and programmes of the government. As a rule, it functions under an Attached Office.
Organisation of Directorates
Heads of departments are officers who are charge of the actual administration of specific services or administration and execution of projects.The Heads of the Departments are usually called Directors or Commissioners. The State Government exercises control over the working of heads of departments through “administrative departments” of the secretariat. The Secretaries are the “ears and eyes” of the Ministers, while the Heads of Departments are their “Hands”. The head of the department is generally a specialist and a secretary is a generalist civil servant.
The directors or Commissioners are assisted by Additional Directors, Joint directors, Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors.
Functions of the directorates
- Formulation of Departmental budget;
- Acting as technical adviser to the Minister;
- Inspection of the execution of work of departmental district staff;
- Allocation of grants according to rules, making budget re-appropriation within prescribed limits;
- Making within approved rules all appointments, confirmations, postings transfers, promotions of all subordinate officers including also sanctioning of leave and making acting arrangements
- Exercising disciplinary powers over all subordinate officers according to rules
- Advising Public Service Commission concerning promotions and disciplinary actions
- Sanctioning the attendance of officers at conference other than inter-state or government of India conferences.
