This article throws light upon the two main types of organisation. The types are: 1. Independent System 2. Integrated System.
Type # 1. Independent System:
One of the two types of organisation is called Independent or Uncorrelated system. Under this system each service is treated as an independent unit having no direct relations to other services. The line of authority here runs from the operating service direct to the chief executive or the legislature which created it and is directing and controlling it.
In this system each service is treated as an independent unit having little or no direct relation with other services. The American system of administration is characterized as Independent, disintegrated or uncorrelated.
In that country, there are at least five different kinds of independent establishments, namely:
(i) The regulatory commissions,
(ii) The government corporations,
(iii) Professional service agencies,
(iv) Elected officials such as State Treasurer and the Attorney General, and
(v) The auditors.
There are also many other agencies such as Tennessee Valley Authority. Then there are numerous boards and commissions. All these establishments are not linked with one another. They do not come completely under the control of the chief executive. They are called the “headless fourth branch of government”.
Type # 2. Integrated System:
Under the second system called Integrated or Departmental system an attempt, “is made to group all services whose operations fall in the same general field and which should consequently maintain intimate working relations with each other, into departments presided over by officers having a general oversight of them all and entrusted with the duty of seeing that they work harmoniously towards the attainment of the common end.”
In this system the various services maintain their distinctive character and perform work in their respective fields.
The essential point is that by grouping them they are brought into close relationship with one another. They in fact become several parts of the same machine. The line of authority runs from the several services to the departments of which they are the units, and from these to the chief executive or to the legislature whose jurisdiction extends over all the departments.
The integrated system, therefore, involves the abolition of the independent status of agencies like the independent regulatory commissions or administrative bodies or officials directly elected by the people and responsible to the people.
An illustration may be given to clarify the point:
The C.I.D. has the duty to investigate secretly the crimes committed and find out the criminals to prosecute whom is the duty of prosecuting service.
The armed police is appointed to prevent violation of peace and disturbance of order. On an examination of the work of all these services it appears that they have a common goal, i.e., the maintenance of peace, law and order. Therefore it is but desirable that all these services should be grouped together into the Police Department.
The Indian system of organisation is largely integrated. All the agencies performing common functions are grouped into various departments, e.g., Defence, Railways, Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, Law and Justice, Human Resource Development etc., and all these Departments are placed under the authority of the cabinet ministers who are responsible to the legislature.
It may, however, be remarked that there is no country in the world which has got a completely integrated administrative system. In India there are government corporations, public service commissions, and Comptroller and Auditor General who are independent of the cabinet control.