HISTORY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION – II

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Introduction To Public AdministrationMGT111

LESSON 08

HISTORY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION II

At the end of the lecture the students will be able:

To know the history of public administration during British period.

The 1857 war of Independence is a turning point in the history of subcontinent from many

perspectives. From the perspective of public administration it can be said that events that led to 1857 war of

Independence were that the British had tried to divide the two religions of the sub-continent. But it is also

said that British had become laxed in administration and they did not expect the locals to rise up-against

them. When the war erupted and spread, it was realized that things should not be left to the company to be

managed. Therefore, the government in London stepped in to rule directly.

In 1858 a constitutional document "Government of India Act 1858" was passed by the British

Parliament. Now the Secretary of State was to exercise powers previously given to the Company. These

powers were to suppress all local up rising and use force against any up rising.

A Council of 15 members was created under the Act. It was to conduct all business relating to

Government of India in UK.

The Act was a comprehensive written constitution for the subcontinent. The Constitution was

unitary and the provincial governments derived their powers by devolution from the central government

under the control and direction of Governor General. This meant that the control of administration of the

subcontinent was in London. Even the Governor General for the sub-continent was appointed by the

British government and the ultimate control was of Secretary of State sitting in London who was

answerable to the British Parliament.

The initial structure of civil service in the sub-continent was laid by the East India Company (EIC).

The employees of EIC initially belonged to Mercantile Service (1601 1858) and then the Imperial Service

1858 -1947. During this period of British rule in sub-continent, the civil service of EIC under went changes

according to the requirement of colonial rule. The employees of EIC were divided into `covenanted' (higher

employees) and `un-covenanted' employees (lower level of service). The covenanted civil servants signed

agreement with the Company regarding terms and conditions of the service. The un-covenanted did not

sign any agreement and these could be removed any time without giving any benefits.

Atchison Commission (1886-87) recommended that distinction between covenanted and un-

covenanted service should be abolished and `Imperial Civil Service' should be established. This

nomenclature was later on changed to `Indian Civil Service'. The Commission also recommended the

creation of Provincial Civil Service

The India Civil Service was organized on the principle that `it would be characterized by integrity

and ability' (Philip Woodruff, The Men who Ruled India). It developed standards of honesty and conduct and

the system grew where power was combined with confidence and bust.

To train man for career in Indian Civil Service (ICS) in the sub-continent, East India College was

established in 1806 at Hailey bury England. Entry to the College and service was open to natural-born

British. The Government of India Act 1853 provided young men of sub-continent to compete for the entry

to the College, irrespective of religion, place of birth, descant colour or race. The College offered residential

course of two years where young men were taught by eminent scholars of the time. The College imbibed a

sense of pride in the young men at the College.

The civil servants were paid salaries and wages which allowed them a proper standard of living

according to the responsibilities, which meant that their salaries should not be meager and that they should

not resort to unfair means of earning.

Introduction To Public AdministrationMGT111

The Indian Civil Service Act 1861 freed the service from the rule of seniority and seniority was not

the only criteria of promotion. With some safeguards the Act allowed appointment from outside. Public

Service Commission was established in 1926, as a recruiting agency.

The Government of India Act 1935 provided security of tenure: i.e. no officer could be dismissed

until heard in his defence and was given the right to appeal up to the Secretary State.

The British left noteworthy administrative heritage in such areas as law, finance, education, railways,

public works and public health. The foundation of modern Police was laid in 1861. The Police Act 1861

introduced a uniform system of police. In each district Superintendent of Police was appointed with

hierarchy of Deputy Superintendent and inspectors. The police system that British has set-up functioned

efficiently for a long time.

The British made several noteworthy contributions in the area of public financial management.

Great stress was laid upon land a revenue collection procedure which was greatly improved. These were

important as land revenue provided 15% of total revenue. The British reconstituted a system of committees

of revenue as Boards of control over districts administered by collectors who assessed and received land

revenue. By creating compact revenue system in fact they revived part of Akbar's system. Treasury

functions were reorganized and placed under Auditor General. Income tax procedure was also introduced.

Various financial functions were given to the provinces. Under the Act of 1935 the federal budget was to be

presented to the legislature and was to show separate estimates of expenditure of votable and non-votable

were shown. The British gave the system of law administration. They codified the law and introduced the

system of judicial and expanded the court system. Three levels for both civil and criminal courts came into

being, small courts, district or city courts and provincial courts.

The Charter of 1833 provided for Indian Law Commission (1833) which inquired into the powers

and rules of all courts and police establishment, al forms of judicial procedures and the nature and operation

of all laws. As a result of the work of Commission the first Indian Penal Code was enacted.

The Indian Universities Act 1904 brought improvements in the education system. As a result of the

Act the education system was improved and better teachers were employed, cramming for examination was

reduced, closer inspection of College was done. The British gave to the sub-continent institutions like post

and telegraph, railways, irrigation system, public works department etc. But Pakistan came into existence

under condition which caused strain for public administration, as public administration was confronted with

grave challenges.

At the time of independence professional non- Muslims out numbered Muslims and there was large

exodus of non-Muslims from the part that constitutes Pakistan. Non Muslims were more educated and

were more in important position.

The public administration of the new country faces following problem:

Dearth of trained labor (civil servants economists, doctors, engineers): There was grave vacuum of

trained and professional civil servants. At the time of independence, there were around 100 civil

servants.

Refugees: Millions of dislocated and displaced people moved from Pakistan to India and vice versa.

Inadequate physical infrastructure: The part which became Pakistan had no industry, roads were

inadequate, there were few.

Constitution making: The major task was of constitution making. Pakistan faced leadership crisis

after the death of Quaid-i-Azam. The leadership and political crisis shelved the process of

Constitution making. It was in 1973 that Pakistan got the Constitution which could provide

framework for government.

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