Draft Public Service Bill Government Of India

The Article 309 of the Constitution of India lays down that Acts of the appropriate Legislature may regulate the recruitment and conditions of service of persons appointed to Public Services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of any State. However, till date, no comprehensive Public Service Law has been enacted except the All India Services Act, 1951 which has a limited application.

Hon’ble Prime Minister has emphasized the need to have a comprehensive Public Service Law/Act, which would be an umbrella Act to cover the numerous rules/regulations enacted earlier. Pursuant to this, the Central Government has drafted a Public Services Bill, 2006 which would provide a statutory basis for the regulation of Public Services in India, review and lay down the fundamental values of Public Services, the Public Service Code of Ethics, Public Service Management Code, Protection of Whistleblowers and Recruitment Code governing the Public Services, establish the Public Services Authority for facilitating review and proper development of public services as a professional, politically neutral, merit based & accountable instrument for promoting good governance and better delivery of services to the Citizens. The draft bill would cover the All India Services and the Central Services. However, State Governments may adopt this to their respective State Services by issuing suitable notification in the Official Gazette.

PUBLIC SERVICES BILL, 2006

BILL NO. … OF 2006.

A BILL

To provide a statutory basis for the regulation of the Public Services in India, to review and lay down the fundamental values of Public Services, the Public Services Code of Ethics, Public Service Management Code, Protection of Whistleblowers and the Recruitment Code governing the Public Services, to establish Public Services Authority for facilitating review and proper development of public services and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, with the overarching objective of developing public services as a professional, politically neutral, merit based, and accountable instrument for promoting good governance and better delivery of services to the citizens.

Recognizing and affirming –

- that good governance is an inalienable right of the citizens in a democracy,

- that good governance should be participatory, transparent, accountable, governed by the rule of law and be informed by equity and inclusiveness in governance, and effectiveness and efficiency in service, and

- that a politically neutral, professional, accountable and efficient public service is an essential instrument for promotion of good governance,

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