State Secretariat and Role of Directorates

Directorates are the executive arms of state governments. They are responsible for implementing policies formulated by the Secretariat.

Directorates or Executive Departments located in Ajmer include:

  1. Directorate of Ayurved, Rajasthan
  2. Board of Revenue for Rajasthan
AspectSecretariatDirectorate
PositionApex body of the state administration.Subordinate institution of the Secretariat.
FunctionPolicy-making.Policy implementation.
Role Considered the “brain” of the state administration.Considered the “hands and feet” of the state administration.
Type of AdviceProvides general advice to Ministers.Provides special/technical advice to Ministers.
DominanceDominated by generalists.Dominated by specialists.
ProximityCloser to the Ministers.A little distant in comparison to Ministers.
Head TitleHeaded by the Chief Secretary.Headed by a Director.
Agency TypeFunctions as a staff agency.Functions as a line agency.
Nickname“House of secretaries.”“House of Directors.”

The state secretariat is a joint workplace for political heads, who act as policy formulators, and administrative heads, who serve as policy executives. It functions as the principal executive instrument of the state government.

Role of Government Secretariat:

Positive Aspects

Criticisms

  1. Policy-Making: The Secretariat is crucial for formulating, revising, and abolishing policies. It ensures political promises are translated into actionable policies.
  2. Information Collection: It gathers, classifies, and analyzes data essential for policy-making and implementation.
  3. Coordination: Ensures various administrative activities are synchronized, reducing duplication and conflicts.
  4. Rule Making and Control: Develops rules for government administration and monitors the implementation of policies.
  5. Legislative Duties: Prepares bills, answers legislative questions, and assists in ordinance issuance and Governor’s address.
  6. Personnel Administration: Manages recruitment, training, promotions, transfers, and disciplinary actions of public servants.
  7. Financial Administration: Oversees budget preparation, financial policy implementation, and administrative control over accounting services.
  8. General Administration: Manages government properties, residences, and coordination during events and programs.
  9. Centre and State Relations: Handles financial facilities and instructions from the central government and settles inter-state matters.
  10. Administrative Reforms: Implements and evaluates reforms to improve administrative efficiency.
  11. Leadership: Provides guidance, advice, and supervision to the entire state administration.
  1. Note System: The process is slow due to multiple stages of approval and comments.
  2. Centralization of Power: Excessive centralization diminishes the effectiveness of other executive and regional institutions.
  3. Generalist Interference: Generalist officers often amend technical decisions without proper understanding, affecting the morale of technical officers.
  4. Influence of Power: Proximity to ministers allows secretariat administrators to sway decisions, causing a power imbalance.
  5. Favoritism Over Merit: Decisions favoring power, rather than public benefit, lead to a lack of accountability and reward.
  6. Financial Wastage: Excessive spending on administrative costs reduces funds available for actual schemes.
  7. Overstaffing: High employee numbers increase costs, with the same work often achievable with fewer personnel.

Administrative Reforms Committees have been formed over the years to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Rajasthan Government Secretariat. 

  • Administrative Reforms Committee (1992-95): Chaired by G.K. Bhanot, recommended simplification, decentralization, and restructuring of various departments.
  • Further Reforms: In 1999, the Rajasthan Administrative Reforms Commission was formed under Chief Minister Shiv Charan Mathur, which presented reports on eleven subjects. The government is considering these suggestions.

Effective implementation of these reforms requires strong political will to enhance the administrative efficiency and responsiveness of the state secretariat.

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