Maharashtra govt ropes in private consultants to draft laws

The Maharashtra government today told the Legislative Council it has appointed three private firms as consultants to formulate laws of various departments, including Home, inviting the opposition criticism.
In a written reply to a starred question by Narayan Rane (Congress), Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said to draft laws, three companies have been appointed as consultants.
The move was criticised by Rane.
"Departments like Home are very sensitive and formulation of their laws is a secretive process. Does appointing private companies as consultants not increase the chances of secrecy getting diluted?" he questioned.
The former chief minister sought to know the reasons for roping in private companies when the Law and Judiciary department is competent to draft legislations.

He asked what steps have been taken by the government to maintain confidentiality in preparing important policies.
Fadnavis said, "The Home department deals with various complicated issues like drafting new rules, notifications, change in service rule books along with doing their own routine work. The consultants have been roped in by the government to help in carrying out some of these tasks."
He said the consultants will not take up routine work of the departments but will execute specific tasks. "They will work under the department officials, law officers and within the stipulated guidelines while maintaining secrecy wherever required," Fadnavis added.