Mention timeline on inter-ministerial consultations: Cabinet Secretary

Directive issued to check delays in inter-ministerial consultations in finalising a Cabinet note

All central government secretaries have been directed by the Cabinet Secretariat to mention the timeline on inter-ministerial consultations while preparing notes for the Cabinet.

The directive has been issued to check delays in inter-ministerial consultations in finalising a Cabinet note, officials said.

As per the existing guidelines on preparation of notes for consideration of the Cabinet or Cabinet Committees, the process of inter-ministerial consultations has to be completed in two weeks' time and the sponsoring ministry is required to indicate in the body of the note the date on which comments were sought from the departments consulted.

"It is further mentioned that the sponsoring ministry or department should also indicate the date(s) on which the comments are received from the various consulted ministries or departments either in the body or the annexure to the Cabinet note where the details of the inter-ministerial consultations are reflected," the Cabinet Secretariat said in a recent directive to Secretaries of all central government ministries.

Officials said instructions have been issued to ensure that the process of inter-ministerial consultations does not get delayed.

"At times, secretaries blame other ministries for delay in finalising a Cabinet note in case of inter-ministerial consultations.

"Now they have been asked to mention the date on which the comments were sought and also the date on which the comments were received. It will help in checking the delay. They must also follow the two weeks' guidelines to complete the consultation process," a senior official said.