President Office spokesman Zaw Htay said that they had adopted policy and guidelines for shifting the General Administration (GA) Department to put it under the Union Government Office Ministry from the current Home Ministry.
“It will not take time. Policy for that matter has been adopted and it needs only an official decision and procedural matters for implementing it. So we are now continuing this process in accordance with procedures to implement it systematically. So it will be soon, very soon,” he said.
He added that this plan was done in accordance with the New Year address of the President for carrying out the Union Government’s reform work starting from the bottom close to the common people, preparation for the future federal government, decentralization in governance and with the intention of following suggestions given by the States and Regions local governments.
Spokesman Zaw Htay spoke about this at his fortnightly press conference held at the press conference room of the Presidential Palace in Nay Pyi Taw on 21 December.
Zaw Htay added that this change is being carried out in accordance with the articles 227(a) and (b) of the 2008 Constitution, which stipulates the Union Government may form civil services organizations and may appoint required civil service personnel as necessary.
In the Union Government, the President leads the cabinet, in union level, there is a union government office which is also led by the President and there are Chief Ministers and their cabinets in local governments which are under the union government, and all Chief Ministers are directly responsible and answerable to the President.
“So if you look at the executive branch, there will be the president, his cabinet, and in vertical hierarchy there will be States-Regions and the Naypyitaw Council. Chief Ministers will have their cabinets and under them there are district and township administration offices,” he added.
“Under this administrative structure of the constitution, the President comes first, then Chief Ministers and then the administrators under them in vertical hierarchy. In this principle and policy, the administrative machinery must be put under the President. Under this review, we shifted this administrative machinery, GA, to the Union Government office ministry,” he said.
He further added that this move was not made following anyone’s suggestion but it was done in accordance with the basic principles, reform strategy and to enhance the administrative machinery.
