'Get Cabinet nod well in time for project extension'

Recently, the cabinet secretariat had said job creation would be priority for all project clearances

The government has come out with stricter norms for taking Cabinet approval for project extensions in case of a delay. A Cabinet secretariat circular asks all ministries and departments to seek an extension for ongoing projects and schemes “well within” the original date of completion. This is to ensure that decision-making process is not adversely impacted.

‘’It has been observed that often proposals for consideration of the Cabinet seeking (such) extension are received after passage of considerable time after the initially approved completion date,’’ it says.

Pointing out that such delays are undesirable, and that they result in uncertainty and projects slowing down, the circular has said that ''it has been decided that henceforth ministries/departments should invariably submit the proposal for consideration of the Cabinet, seeking extension of ongoing projects/schemes, in variance to the earlier Cabinet decision, well within the initially approved date of completion".

Recently, in a similar office memorandum, the Cabinet Secretariat had said that job creation would be a top priority for all project clearances by the Union government.

“In view of the fact that employment generation in various sectors is vital for the country's socio-economic development, this aspect has to be an important criterion for any project/scheme appraisal,’’ the circular issued in January had said.

“It has, therefore, been decided that henceforth all the notes for Cabinet and its committees should separately and clearly reflect the employment generation potential of each proposal.’’