The Maharashtra government has, for the first time, modified rules of procedure to define the exact role of the Governor, Chief Minister (CM) and the Chief Secretary (CS). State Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik shared the government’s vision to create an accountable and efficient government by defining in detail the role of the Governor, CM and the CS. She also explained how the government will be conducting day-to-day transactions.
According to her, there will be a minimum of four levels and a maximum of six for file clearance in the state govt. The state cabinet finalised the subject list and defined the role of each department as well as inter-departmental coordination.
This is for the first time that such rules of procedure have been laid down. The first time such rules were prepared was in 1975. They were revised for the first time in 1990 and again in 2019. There were only 15 rules, but they did not provide any details.
The revised Maharashtra Government Rules of Procedure got the cabinet’s approval for the publication on Tuesday. The revised rules now consist of 48 rules, four schedules and an annexure, which are further divided into nine parts. 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 CS said that Maharashtra has adopted the Kerala model of clearly defining the role of the chief secretary. According to it, the CS will coordinate with all depts. and will be the member-secretary to the cabinet.
An important aspect of the new rules is that the under-secretary will now sign all govt orders and not the desk officer.
