Anugraha Narayan Tiwari

Anugraha Narayan Tiwari, A.N. Tiwari (Indian Administrative Service, IAS ’69 Batch Andhra Pradesh Cadre) has been an Indian Civil Servant for 44 years with wide and deep experience in governance, public administration and infrastructure development and its policy making. He has served at the highest levels of the Indian Government and was the decision and policy maker for many government departments at the National and State levels. Mr. Tiwari was also instrumental in implementing and designing many schemes relating to the Union Government relating to various departments he headed.
He supervised and controlled vigilance and anti-corruption work for the Union government and implemented
many policies that have brought in transparency and good governance in the government.
Has studied democracy and democratic institutions and, matters relating to governance and civil service
as an academic subject as well as practically. Was instrumentally involved in administrative reforms
and the work of the Administrative Reforms Commission with the Prime Minister of India. Active in
promoting transparency in the administrative set-up as part of the reforms process which finally led to
the drafting and implementation of the Right to Information Act.
CHIEF INFORMATION COMMISSIONER, CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION, INDIA, 10/2010 - 12/2010.
Headed the Central Information Commission, which is the apex body under the Right to Information
Headed the Central Information Commission, which is the apex body under the Right to Information
Right to Information and the citizen’s right to know as well as transparency in governance.
The New York Times, in an article, hailed the Right to Information law of India and, its implementation
under the leadership and the guidance of the Central Information Commission as an important milestone
in the evolution of Indian democracy.
Spearheaded a move - and obtained the approval of the CIC - to direct all Public Authorities to voluntarily
disclose all information, which in their own judgment, was not found to be confidential or secret
and, to appoint Transparency Officers who would oversee the transition from the present official regime
to one oriented towards transparency and openness.
INFORMATION COMMISSIONER, CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION, (12/2005 - 09/2010).
Was appointed Information Commissioner at the newly created Central Information Commission. Oversaw
the drafting and implementation of the Right to Information law in its early and difficult years.
Delivered several landmark judgments that set the tone for the interpretation of the provisions of the
RTI Act and for the action by the public authorities for disclosing information demanded by citizens.
Was later promoted as Chief information Commissioner.
SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DOPT), GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, (07/2004 - 12/2005).
Worked directly under the Prime Minister of India and the Minister for Personnel. Was responsible for
overseeing recruitment, placement, promotion and career progression of all the Indian Administrative
Service and the Central Secretariat Service officers.
Was the cadre - controller for both the Services. Had the important task of advising all Ministries and
Departments of the Government in matters of personnel management, including promotions and disciplinary
control.
As Secretary of a key department of the government responsible for administrative reforms, helped
bring into being the now famous Right To Information Act. Was associated with all stages of the Act -
from its drafting to promulgation, to the setting up of the Central Information Commission, and framing
of Rules under the Act.
Oversaw all work relating to administrative reforms and the functioning of the Administrative Reforms
Commission. Oversaw and guided the implementation of Citizen’s Charter to promote transparent, accountable
and user-friendly governance.
Initiated the new programme for mid-career training of the Indian administrative service officers in collaboration with the top universities of the United States - Harvard, Duke, and Syracuse. This was the
first such programme of its kind anywhere in the world.
Advised the Prime Minister in vigilance and anti-corruption matters. Oversaw the work of the Central
Bureau of Investigation and was actively involved in the work of the Central Vigilance Commission.
Oversaw work relating to India’s adherence to the International Convention On Corruption.
Initiated reforms in the grievance -redressal system for central government employees.
Headed the Consultative Machinery for Central government employees. Initiated measures for the improvement
of the employees’ service conditions. Represented Government of India on the Board of Directors of CAPAM (Commonwealth Association for Public Administration) 2004-2005.
SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (DEPARTMENT OF URBAN EMPLOYMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION), GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, (02/2004 - 06/2004).
Had the responsibility to oversee improvements in urban habitat, especially slums. Designed and implemented
schemes for improvement in the condition of slum dwellers.
Prepared the first draft of the National Slum Improvement Mission, which became the basis of the Urban
Renewal Mission later adopted and implemented by the Government of India.
SPECIAL SECRETARY MINISTRY OF POWER, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, (09.02.2004 TO 30.6.2005).
Oversaw and supervised the work of a key infrastructure sector. Was involved in all aspects of planning,
implementation and monitoring of Power projects, as well as their funding.
Was given additional duties of Chairman of the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), Kolkata, and Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) New Delhi, in different spells in the same period, while still holding the main responsibility of Special Secretary Power. DVC is one of the country’s oldest Power generation and distribution companies in the government sector, while REC undertakes financing of rural electrification work through State public enterprises as well as private utilities.
ADDITIONAL SECRETARY AND FINANCIAL ADVISER, MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, (07/2003 - 02/2004).
In this capacity, was Financial Adviser to two Ministries namely Commerce and Textiles. Main responsibilities included financial approval of all projects, preparation and approval of the departmental budgets and to act as a link between the ministries of commerce and textiles on the one hand and the ministry of finance on the other.
Was head of the team that negotiated the export sale price of iron ore to Japan.
Was nominated Director on the National Institute of Fashion Technology (i.e. IIFT), the Indian Institute of
Foreign Trade, and the Cotton Corporation of India
SECRETARY TO VICE-PRESIDENT OF INDIA, (10/1997 - 07/2002).
Assisted the Vice-President in discharge of his constitutional duties under the Constitution of India. The
Vice-President is also the presiding officer of the Council of States - the Upper House of the Indian
Parliament, also known as the Rajya Sabha and interacted with many heads of states and governments at bilateral and multilateral meetings. Have had a ringside view of high-level diplomacy.
Attended meetings of G-15 at Kuala Lumpur and Cairo as member of the delegation headed by the Vice-President of the India. Obtained deep insight into the working of the Indian Parliament - law-making role, committee systems and its accountability enforcing function vis-à-vis the Executive.
SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR ANDHRA PRADESH (02/1991 - 09/1993 AND 12/1994 - 10/1997).
Assisted the governor in the discharge of this constitutional duties as the head of the state of Andhra
Pradesh. The governor under the Constitution is part of the legislative system on the estate. As the Governor’s secretary was required to maintain broad and continuous and direction with select state legislature as well as all-important functionaries of the government and the Chief Minister. The
governor as head of the state and the legislature, convenes and prorogues the legislative assembly. It
is his signature that converts a legislation into law.
Was secretary of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) named “Chetana" which worked for eliminating
exploitation of women and the but social and economic uplift.
SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH (07/1989 - 02/1991 AND 08/1994 - 12/1994).
In the first spell between 1989 and 1991, was appointed Sec Department of revenue in the government of Andhra Pradesh. Responsibilities included all matters relating to land such as land rights, registration
of land and holdings, maintenance of land records, all matters relating to land revenue and so on.
The responsibilities enabled me to obtain deep insight into the rural economy and people's lives for
whom land was the m-frequently the only- source of income. Oversaw saw several projects for distribution
of land to landless poor and construction of houses through assistance provided by the government and financial institutions.
Also functioned as Principal Secretary Finance and Planning of Andhra Pradesh, between August 1994 and December 1994.
Responsibilities included drafting and implementation of the state fiveyear and annual plans and had to spearhead discussions with the National Planning Commission and, other important ministries of the government of India for finalisation of the state plans which had to be approved by the state legislature.
Rresponsibilities gave me an overview of the state economy and its relationship with the national
plans and the national economy. I also came to understand the intricate process of budgetary approvals
and release of budgetary allocations and the nuances of the centre state relationship under the Indian
constitution.
Was also the state government’s interface with the international financing institutions such as the
World Bank. Chaired the Programme Monitoring cell for all World Bank assisted programmes in
Andhra Pradesh.
Also responsible for overseeing disaster relief within the state as the head of the Disaster Relief Centre.
COUNSELLOR CO-ORDINATION EMBASSY OF INDIA, MOSCOW (08/1985 - 06/1989)
Held a diplomatic assignment for the government of India. Was in charge of defence cooperation between
India and the erstwhile Soviet Union. Obtained, significant insights into the working of bilateral
and multilateral economic relationship between two countries and have had first-hand and hands-on
experience of drafting and executing International economic agreements.
Was stationed in Moscow when Mikhail Gorbachev's Glassnost and Perestroika experiments were in
full swing. Had a ringside view of the process, which eventually led to the unravelling of the Soviet Union
and the end of the Cold War.
DEPUTY SECRETARY/DIRECTOR, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA. (05/1982 - 08/1985)
Was entrusted with the responsibility of formulating and overseeing the implementation of India's Defence
Plan and, all aspects of procurement of armament and equipment for India's Armed Forces.
Looked after India’s co-operation and relationship in all defence related matters with other countries.
DIRECTOR OF FISHERIES GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH (04/1981 - 05/1982)
Was in charge of all aspects of development of coastal and Inland fisheries as well as welfare of the
fisherman communities. Received valuable experience about the lives and work of the fishermen both
coastal and inland.
Was actively engaged in promoting their welfare especially through capacity building, self-help groups
and through engagement with civil society. Supervised building of improved boats, nets and other gear
which fishermen used.
There were several multinational and bilateral agencies involved in these fisheries related activities,
which enabled me to interact with them closely for optimal results. Performed critical leadership role in
the development of coastal Acquaculture at the early stages of its development in the State. Looked
after export of the fisheries products. Was member of the Board of the Marine Products Development
Authority (MPEDA); created by Government of India to catalyse all fishery exports from the country.
COLLECTOR & DISTRICT MAGISTRATE, CUDDAPAH (05/1977 - 04/1979) & WARANGAL (04/1979 - 04/1981).
As the Collector and the District Magistrate of two districts - Cuddapah and Warangal- was the head
of the districts with the main function of maintaining law and order, collection of land revenue, including preparation and upkeep of land records; land ceiling administration and land assignment to the
weaker sections; co-ordination of the work of the district level departments; planning, supervision and
implementation of all welfare and area development schemes; remaining involved in and, guiding, the
work of the institutions of local-self government; management of irrigation and command area development,
etc.
Chaired a committee of the heads of all the banking institutions in this district under, what was then described as, the Lead - Bank Scheme, with the specific task of canalising institutional finance for the welfare of the weaker sections of the society and capital formation.
Developed the working of micro-finance institutions at the district level. As the head of the districts was also its Chief Vigilance Officer. Role included preventing corruption in the ranks and files of the departments in the districts and to bring to the book those found to indulge in corrupt practices.
Was the district election officer, with responsibility to conduct all elections-from local bodies, to state
legislature and Parliament.
Was the Special Officer and the Head of the Cooperative Central Bank and the Land Development Bank in the two districts served. Main responsibility was to reach agricultural and land development finance, as short and medium-term credit, to the rural masses and recovery of the outstanding loans from the loanees.
As Special Officer/Chairman of the Zilla Parishad (distrevel self-government body) of the two districts
respectively, was involved in all aspects of the functioning of the self-governing institutions. Worked for
the spread of literacy and education. Directed efforts at the promotion of ‘social-capital’ through enhancing people’s trust in the administration, in order to increase my ability to deliver to them improved
governance. Used self-help groups and co operative institutions as main tools.
One, somewhat unusual, responsibility which was discharged as the Collector and District magistrate
of Warangal was to be given the duties of the district and Sessions Judge for the Agency (Tribal) areas
of the district. Criminal cases in the agency areas under the Indian Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure
Code, were tried by Mr. Tiwari, rather than by the District and Sessions Judge, appointed by the judiciary.
Was in charge of disaster relief and rehabilitation in the districts.
COMMISSIONER OF COMMERCIAL TAXES (06/1975 - 04/1977).
Was in charge of Commercial Taxes administration of three districts; Krishna, Guntur and Prakasham of
Andhra Pradesh.
During this appointment responsibility included levy and collection of sales and purchase taxes and adjudication of disputes brought up by tax-payers.
SUB COLLECTOR (09/1971 - 12/1973).
Was appointed head of the subdivision Bhongir with the designation of sub collector.
Responsibilities for the subdivision were identical to the duties of the Collector for the district. I took
special interest in land colonisation schemes with a view to help small landholders pool their resources
to optimise the returns from their lands.
Directorship of Boards
1. Mines And Metals Development Corporation (MMTC). 02.08.2002 to 06.07.2003.
2. State Trading Corporation (STC). 02.08.2002 to 06.07.2003.
3. Indian Institute Of Foreign Trade (IIFT). 02.08.2002 to 06.07.2003.
4. Indian Institute Of Fashion Technology (IIFT). 02.08.2002 to 06.07.2003.
5. India Trade Promotion Organisation. (ITPO). 02.08.2002 to 06.07.2003.
6. Cotton Corporation Of India (CCI). 02.08.2002 to 06.07.2003.
7. Indian Textiles Corporation (ITC). 02.08.2002 to 06.07.2003.
8. Indian Housing Bank. 09.02.2004 to 30,06.2004.
9. Chairman, Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC). 07.07.2003 to 08.02.2004.
10. Chairman & Managing Director, Rural Electrification Corporation (REC). 07.07.2003 to 06.07.2004.
Education and Academic Qualifications
Bachelors of Arts (BA) Honours, Politics, Ravenshaw College, Orissa, India, 1965 1st Class With Distinction
Master of Arts (MA) in Politics, Allahabad University, Allahabad, India, 1967 1st Class With Distinction
Principal subjects:
1. Democracy, governance and civil services.
2. International Relations.
3. Diplomatic History.
4. European Political Thought.
5. World Constitution (India, UK, France, Sweden, Italy, Australia and Canada).
Lecturer in political science (International Relations, World Constitutions, Public Administration and
Government, International Law and Modern Political Thought-Allahabad University (1967-1968)
Fellow, Centre for International Studies - Harvard University - 1993 to 1994.
Conferences Attended
USA - New York- 19 April 2004 to 23 April 2004 attended the 12th session of the Commission on
Sustainable Development.
Brazil - Brasilia - 13 June 2004 to 22 June 2004 attended the International Conference on Technology
For The Future organized by UNIDO and UNCTAD.
Singapore 23 October 2004 to 27 October 2004 attended the meeting of CAPAM
Mexico - Mexico City- 8 November 2004 to 12 November 2004- delivered the keynote address in one
of the sessions of the Week of Innovation and Quality in Public Administration program, conducted by
the government of Mexico.
France-Paris - 25 April 2005 to 27 April 2005 meeting of the CAPAM Board.
Brazil-Brasilia- June 2005 to 12 June 2005- attended the International Conference on Anti-corruption
called by the United Nations.
New Zealand -Wellington-26 October 2007 to 29 October 2007-Attended the International Conference
of Information Commissioners. Presented a paper titled RTI and Governance.
Mexico- 24 Sept. 2008 to 26 Sept. 2008 attended national transparency week of the government of
Mexico At Mexico City. Presented a paper titled ‘RTI Governance and Developing Countries’.
Malaysia - Kualalumpur - 1-11-1997 to 5-11-1997- participated in the meeting of the G- 15 countries
as member of the Indian delegation, which was headed by the Vice President of India.
Egypt-Cairo- 10 May 1998 to 13 May 1998-participated in the meeting of G-15 countries as
member of the Indian delegation headed by the Vice President of India.
Papers Written
Third World and International Politics and Human Rights in International Relations.
Worked with and, under Prof Robert Putnam, on Social Capital Concepts and their role in strengthening
democracy and governance.

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