For first time, Maharashtra govt defines exact role of governor, chief minister and chief secretary | Mumbai News

Mumbai: There will be a minimum of four levels and a maximum of six for file clearance in the state govt. As it endeavours to create an accountable and efficient govt, the state govt has for the first time defined in detail the role of the governor, chief minister and chief secretary and explained how the govt must conduct day-to-day transactions, said chief secretary Sujata Saunik.
On Tuesday, the cabinet approved the publication of the revised Maharashtra Government Rules of Procedure. These amendments include provisions regarding matters to be brought before the cabinet, matters to be submitted for approval by the chief minister and governor, procedures to be followed by the council of ministers. The cabinet finalised the subject list and defined the role of each department as well as inter-departmental coordination.
Saunik said Kerala had clearly defined the role of the chief secretary, which has been adopted now for the state. “As per the definition, the CS will coordinate with all depts and will be the member-secretary to the cabinet. The new rules of procedure have brought in clarity, accountability and transparency,” she said.
The first such rules of procedure were prepared in 1975 and revised for the first time in 1990 and again in 2019. Thre were only 15 rules, which did not provide any details.
The revised rules of procedure now consist of 48 rules, four schedules and an annexure, which are further divided into nine parts.
An important aspect of the new rules is that the under-secretary will now sign all govt orders and not the desk officer. This has brought down the layers of bureaucracy, and it is for the under-secretary to ensure that every file generated goes up the level and comes back to his desk after approval.
Mumbai: There will be a minimum of four levels and a maximum of six for file clearance in the state govt. As it endeavours to create an accountable and efficient govt, the state govt has for the first time defined in detail the role of the governor, chief minister and chief secretary and explained how the govt must conduct day-to-day transactions, said chief secretary Sujata Saunik.
On Tuesday, the cabinet approved the publication of the revised Maharashtra Government Rules of Procedure. These amendments include provisions regarding matters to be brought before the cabinet, matters to be submitted for approval by the chief minister and governor, procedures to be followed by the council of ministers. The cabinet finalised the subject list and defined the role of each department as well as inter-departmental coordination.
Saunik said Kerala had clearly defined the role of the chief secretary, which has been adopted now for the state. “As per the definition, the CS will coordinate with all depts and will be the member-secretary to the cabinet. The new rules of procedure have brought in clarity, accountability and transparency,” she said.
The first such rules of procedure were prepared in 1975 and revised for the first time in 1990 and again in 2019. Thre were only 15 rules, which did not provide any details.
The revised rules of procedure now consist of 48 rules, four schedules and an annexure, which are further divided into nine parts.
An important aspect of the new rules is that the under-secretary will now sign all govt orders and not the desk officer. This has brought down the layers of bureaucracy, and it is for the under-secretary to ensure that every file generated goes up the level and comes back to his desk after approval.