The latest circular issued by the cabinet secretariat is a testimony of toughening of rules in central government offices. 

Soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived from the US last week, he directed the cabinet secretary to issue a circular to all ministries and departments that "inter-ministerial consultations have to be completed within two weeks", reports our correspondent from Delhi.

This is aimed at curtailing delays on issues where more than one ministry and departments are involved. But what followed next has surprised bureaucrats and even ministers and is directed at those delaying decisions and "pushing files".

The circular dated on September 30, said, "The sponsoring ministry/department is required to indicate in the body of the note the date on which comments were sought from the ministries/departments consulted."

The cabinet secretariat directed ministries to provide details of when they had consulted the concerned counterparts and when exactly did they receive the replies. They should mention specific dates in this regard either in the body of the cabinet draft note or in an annexure.

Obviously, the PM is unhappy with those responsible for delaying decision making in the government either at the minister's level or at the level of the bureaucracy and wants them to tighten their belts.