Question : ENHANCING DECISION MAKING PROCESS

(a) whether the Government has embarked on a series on measures to bring decision making process on fast track by stipulating time frame to complete procedure;

(b) if so, whether the Ministries / Departments have been asked to finalize and communicate their response on draft note to Ministry which has mooted proposal within 15 days;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether Cabinet Secretariat has asked the Ministries that if comments of the Ministries were not received within the permitted time limit, sponsoring Ministries should bring the fact to the notice of Secretary concerned; and

(e) if so, the extent to which this decision has helped to implement proposals?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER`S OFFICE (SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)

(a) With a view to ensuring faster decision making and expeditious implementation of its policies / programmes, the Government continuously strives to improve the relevant processes and procedures. The Government had, keeping in view this, circulated the revised time-frames for completion of inter-Ministerial consultations concerning notes for the Cabinet / Cabinet Committees and also for appraisal / consideration of proposals by other concerned bodies.

(b) & (c). Yes, sir. The time-frame for finalization of comments of the Ministries / Departments required to be consulted on notes for Cabinet / Cabinet Committees, and appraisal / consideration of issues by appraising bodies / Committee of Secretaries etc., has been compressed.

Accordingly, the outer time limits for completion of these processes has been stipulated. Depending upon the class of cases, these time-frames range from 15 days to two months.

(d) Yes, sir. However, the Ministries / Departments consulted can, in complex cases, request for additional time for forwarding their comments / views.

(e) The new procedure has become effective from 3.12.2009. The Ministries / Departments, are by and large, complying with the revised procedure.