Take ex-post facto nod within 1 month time: Cabinet Secretariat to departments

All central government departments have been asked to take ex-post facto approval on any decision already approved by the Prime Minister and on Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed by them within one month time.

The move comes after instances of delayed submission of notes by departments were noticed by Cabinet Secretariat.

Existing norms stipulates that in cases where approval of the Prime Minister has been obtained "the note for seeking ex-post facto approval of the Cabinet or concerned Cabinet Committee should be forwarded to Cabinet Secretariat latest within one month of approval".

The departments concerned also have to take timely approval of Cabinet for all MoUs that are signed by them. In case of any delay, a note should specify the reason and justification for the late submission.

"In spite of the clear instructions on the subject, instances of delayed submission of notes by ministries and departments have been observe. In many cases, the ministry and department have not detailed reason and justification for the delay in submitting the note beyond the prescribed time period. This has been viewed seriously," a directive issued by Cabinet Secretariat to all the secretaries of central government departments said.

All departments have been asked to forward notes seeking ex-post facto approval of Cabinet/Cabinet Committee or for information well within the stipulated period of one month, it said seeking "strict compliance" of the order.