Chapter 6: MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCE AND PENSIONS


Introduction



Nodal agency for public grievance, pensions and administrative reforms. It has following departments:
  1. Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG)
  2. Department of Personnel & Training (DOPT)
  3. Department of Pensions & Pensioners’ Welfare (DOP&PW)

Functions of the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG):
  1. E-governance
  2. Grievance redressal for central government matters
  3. Liaison with state governments on public administration issues.
  4. Organization and method.
  5. Office procedure manual for central secretariat.


SEVOTTAM



This means "service quality excellence". The DARPG has issued guidelines to departments to ensure excellence in service quality.

Modules:
  • Citizen charter: Inform citizens about list of services with time line of completion and quality standards. Also inform about grievance redress.
  • Grievance redress: Redress grievance within time limits.
  • Public service delivery capability: Augment human and technological resources for better service delivery.

Role of Department of Personnel & Training



  • It acts as the formulator of policy and the personnel management watch-dog of the Government.
  • It also advises all organizations of the Central Government on issues of personnel Management.
  • Cadre controlling authority for the IAS. Mid career training for IAS.
  • It is also responsible for formulation and coordination of training policies for the All India and Central Services and providing support for the capacity building of State Government officials.
  • Training and capacity building of state and central government officers.
  • Processing of applications of appointments and promotions for approval of Cabinet Committee on Appointments.
  • Administrative vigilance.


Recruitment Agencies


The two organizations through which the Department ensures recruitment of personnel for the Government:


  1. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
  2. Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
  3. Public enterprise selection board
  4. Civil service board: Headed by cabinet secretary for appointments ofdeputy secretary and above


Agencies for Personnel Grievance redressal

Joint Consultative Machinery


There is a well-structured machinery for joint consultation between the Central Government and its employees on a  wide variety of service matters having a bearing on the administration and the general interests of the Government employees.


It is a three-tier machinery consisting of the National Council, the Department Council and the Regional/Office Council.


Functions:
  1. Improve efficiency and standards of work.
  2. Welfare and conditions of service and work for employees.
  3. Promote harmonious relations between central government and employees.



JCM doesn't cover Group A&B officers, police personnel, UT employees.


Board of Arbitration


It is for compulsory arbitration of complaints related to pay and allowances, weekly hours of work and leave or holiday. If disputes couldn't be resolved by JCM then Board of arbitration is setup.


Board structure:

  1. Chairman: Independent
  2. One member each representing staff and government as employer.


Awards of arbitration are binding on both sides. Government can reject award if parliament approves.


Board works under administrative control of Ministry of Labor.



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