ACC - Appointments Committee of the Cabinet

 

ACC - Appointments Committee of the Cabinet

• ACC stands for Appointments Committee of the Cabinet 

• A pivotal body functions under DoPT - Department of Personnel & Training (of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions.)

• Essential in ensuring appointments to top government positions. 

Key Functions: 

The ACC is primarily responsible for finalizing appointments, transfers, and disciplinary actions related to senior officers in the Government of India. Below are its critical roles:

1. Appointments of Key Officers:

• The ACC decides on appointments of top-level bureaucrats, including Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, Joint Secretaries, Chief Executive Officers of public sector undertakings (PSUs), and other senior posts in various ministries and departments.

• The ACC also plays a role in selecting heads of important government organizations such as regulatory bodies, statutory commissions, and autonomous institutions.

2. Transfers and Postings:

• In addition to appointments, the ACC is responsible for approving the transfers and postings of top officials in the government.

3. Disciplinary Actions:

• The ACC plays a crucial role in approving disciplinary measures and actions concerning senior officers, ensuring that any malpractices or misconduct are appropriately dealt with.

4. Appointments in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs):

• For appointments to key posts like the Chairman, Managing Director, and Board Members of Public Sector Enterprises, the ACC plays a significant role, often based on recommendations from the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB).

5. Policy Formulation:

• Though the ACC’s primary role is related to appointments, it also influences personnel policies, working closely with DoPT in shaping the policy framework for bureaucratic governance.

Composition of ACC:

The ACC is composed of high-ranking members of the government:

1. Prime Minister: The Prime Minister of India is the chairperson of the ACC.

2. Minister of Home Affairs: The Home Minister acts as a key member of the committee.

3. Other ministers may be involved depending on the nature of the appointment.

Relationship with the DoPT:

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) acts as the administrative machinery for the ACC. DoPT handles the overall administrative work related to personnel management in the government. It drafts policies for the functioning of the civil services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Forest Service (IFS), among others.

Some Key Features of the ACC’s Functioning:

1. Consultative Approach: The ACC often works in consultation with other agencies and boards such as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) to make decisions on appointments.

2. Recommendations from Search and Selection Committees: For many high-level appointments, search and selection committees are set up, whose recommendations are reviewed and approved by the ACC.

3. Transparency and Merit-Based Appointments: The ACC emphasizes transparency and ensures that all appointments to top posts are made based on merit, following a thorough process of vetting candidates.

4. Final Authority: Even though recommendations may come from various panels and selection committees, the ACC is the final authority in terms of giving the green light for an appointment.

Examples of ACC Appointments:

• Appointment of the Cabinet Secretary, who is the topmost civil servant in India.

• Appointment of the heads of Public Sector Banks (PSBs), Chairpersons of regulatory bodies like the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), or Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

• Appointment of heads of key institutions like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Importance of ACC:

The ACC plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the Indian administrative machinery by ensuring that only qualified and deserving candidates fill key positions. The body’s decisions impact the governance framework significantly, as it influences the leadership of critical government departments, public sector enterprises, and autonomous bodies.

In summary, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) is a powerful decision-making body that ensures merit-based, transparent appointments and transfers of senior officials, while the DoPT functions as its administrative arm.

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