Gujarat Report: Reform Govt Offices, Training Must For All

Additionally, the commission has launched a website where citizens and employees can offer suggestions for improving administration.

The state government recently formed the GARC under the leadership of Chief Minister's Principal Advisor Hasmukh Adhia. The commission has submitted its primary report within a month, aiming to optimise the use of human resources and enhance government efficiency through the integration of modern technology.

The commission includes Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi, Additional Chief Secretary Kamal Dayani, Chief Secretary Mona Khandhar, Dr T Natarajan, and Secretary Harit Shukla. The primary report presented by the commission advocates for the establishment of information-tech and idea boxes, the use of advanced technologies such as QR codes, and the installation of transparent boxes in appropriate office areas.

Furthermore, to boost the ‘Swachh Gujarat’ Mission, the report emphasises maintaining high standards for cleanliness and facilities such as air conditioning in offices, with a recommendation to provide air conditioning in older and new Secretariat offices and district offices where such facilities are currently absent.

A senior official from the commission mentioned that communication and behavioral training for Class-3 and Class-4 employees has been suggested. Based on this, the state government has issued a directive to assign this responsibility to SIPA (State Institute of Public Administration), which will set up master trainers at the district and taluka levels.

A committee at the district level under the chairmanship of the collector and a steering committee at the state level will be formed.

The roadmap for training suggests covering 183,000 employees in the next three years, with an estimated expenditure of Rs 22.47 crore. Mandatory training of 18 hours for each government employee has been proposed. The commission has also decided to prepare recommendations for reforms in reappointment and outsourcing practices.

Currently, video conferencing facilities have been set up in the state government; however, the commission has suggested that offline meetings should be held when necessary, with a maximum duration of one hour.

The report also recommends replacing the 1989 government resolution regarding air conditioning in offices, ensuring that Class-2 officers have access to air conditioning. The commission believes that having comfortable office facilities will increase officers' working hours and be beneficial to the government.