(Online Course) Public Administration for IAS Mains Exams
Topic: Union Government and Administration: Central Secretariat
The Secretariat has evolved over a period of 200 years. The Constitution does not mention the word ‘Secretariat.’ Article 77 (3) lays down that the President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the government of India and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business. To run the business of the government the Secretariat is required. The word “Secretariat” has been derived from the word ‘Secret’, meaning, something held back or withdrawn from public knowledge or view, unrevealed, covert or confidential. The main function of the Secretariat is to advise the Minister in matters of policy and administration. The affairs of the State and particularly the dealings between the Secretary and the Minister are confidential in nature, therefore, the functions of the Government appears to have become synonymous with secrecy. Thus, probably for this reason the term, ‘Secretariat’ is derived from the world ‘Secret’.
During British rule in India the Government was the Secretary’s Government. After independence the real powers belong to the Council of Ministers. The Ministers obviously cannot work all alone and need assistance, therefore, for administrative purposes, the government of India is divided into ministries and departments which together constitute the “Central Secretariat”. Thus, the term central Secretariat is used to denote the sum total of the Secretariat staff of all the Departments/Ministries.
To implement the policies made by the ministers in consultation with the Secretariat there are attached offices, subordinate offices and other field agencies.
The Constitution also provides hosts of agencies independent of ministries/departments and report directly to the Union Parliament. Such agencies are, the Election Commission, the Union Public Service Commission and the Comptroller and Auditor-General.
In addition to these, there exists staff agencies to advise the government in the field of Planning but to practice it has become a parallel secretariat. Some Ministers and departments share their functions with boards and Commissions with some autonomy. Sometimes Ministries or departments have their own advisory bodies to assist and advice on specific matters.