The Gujarat Administrative Reforms Commission (GARC) has handed over its third report of recommendations to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, outlining a comprehensive strategy to enhance governance through digital innovation and systemic reforms.
As per an official announcement made on Monday, the latest report sets out to strengthen transparency, boost operational efficiency, and make governance more accessible to the public by leveraging digital tools and restructuring administrative frameworks.
Among the key proposals is the development of a single, technology-driven scholarship system&mdash;the Gujarat Unified Scholarship Portal. Built on the &ldquo;One Student &ndash; One ID &ndash; One Portal&rdquo; principle, the platform will integrate all departmental schemes to streamline operations, eliminate redundancy, and lessen the administrative load.
Another major recommendation includes the creation of a fully automated pension processing system for retired state employees. This mechanism would digitally generate pension orders, verify service records, and ensure that pension funds are deposited into the retiree&rsquo;s bank account the day after retirement.
To improve clarity in policy interpretation, a task force will be established to collate Government Resolutions (GRs) across major departments. These documents will be made available online in a structured, topic-wise format, allowing for easier reference and eliminating confusion in understanding official instructions.
The commission has also proposed designing a Geographic Information System (GIS)-enabled digital repository of government-owned assets and services across all villages and talukas. Developed in collaboration with specialised agencies, the system will improve resource allocation and help avoid duplication of projects.
In the realm of public services, the report suggests revamping the citizen interface by digitising the service application process. The updated system will issue real-time notifications&mdash;such as &lsquo;Application Started,&rsquo; &lsquo;Submitted,&rsquo; &lsquo;Verified,&rsquo; &lsquo;In Process,&rsquo; &lsquo;Awaiting Approval,&rsquo; and &lsquo;Completed&rsquo;&mdash;through SMS and WhatsApp. Official documents will be dispatched securely using reliable courier partners.
To enhance the transport experience, government buses will be equipped to accept payments via QR codes and UPI. Real-time updates on routes, seating, and timings will be made available, and commuter feedback will be gathered through QR-based inputs to continually refine services.
For seamless access to official documents, all government service portals will be linked to DigiLocker. This integration, to be executed with the help of professional agencies, will allow citizens to directly retrieve their authenticated documents online.
Additionally, the state aims to digitise the service histories of government personnel through the Human Resource Management System (HRMS). Historical data including educational background, training, and postings will be incorporated to create complete digital profiles of each employee.
GARC also recommends publishing an up-to-date e-Civil List and generating automatic provisional seniority lists for government staff. A digital survey will be conducted to evaluate work distribution, job satisfaction, and workload perception among Class 1 and Class 2 officers.
While presenting the report, GARC Chairman Dr Hasmukh Adhia remarked, &ldquo;This third report is dedicated to the theme of &lsquo;Technological Governance for Empowered Citizens&rsquo;. The public will not only be participants but also partners in Gujarat&rsquo;s development.&rdquo;
&nbsp;

GARC Presents Third Report to Gujarat Government

GARC's third report outlines tech-based reforms to streamline services and boost public engagement.

Gujarat Proposes Digital Shift in Governance System

GARC's third report outlines tech-based reforms to streamline services and boost public engagement.

June 23, 2025 | 20:17 IST