Private Players in Public services

If you are already tired of knocking at one government counter before being rudely asked to move to the next for even getting a small work done, the respite could well be on its way. Getting a driving licence, obtaining a gas connection or even paying your electricity bill would surely become much easier as the government has taken a proactive stand on promoting private competition in services that interface with the public and consumers.In a major decision, it has accepted a recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) on opening up of several services that are currently its exclusive domain and, therefore, bogged down by “departmental hegemony.” The government intends to throw open these “monopolistic” areas providing public services and the move is also expected to bring down the existing level of corruption.A recent meeting of the Core Group on Administrative Reforms (CGAR) chaired by the cabinet secretary took the crucial decision.