"Take prime minister's instructions seriously." That is what the Cabinet Secretary told secretaries in a recent letter. The prime minister's office has conveyed to the cabinet secretariat that the officers have not been following instructions properly.
"I once again request that strict compliance of PMO directions may please be ensured." was the summing up of the letter from KM Chandrasekhar in an identical letter to all 85 Secretaries to Centre.
The letter is reproduced below, verbatim.
KM CHANDRASEKHAR
CABINET SECRETARY
Dear Secretary,
I would like to draw your attention to my letter of even number dated 25th February 2009 forwarding a copy of instructions of Prime Minister Office stating that reports comments and responses sent to the PMO should clearly indicate the
level at which they have been seen and approved. These instructions were issued with a view to facilitate expeditious processing and disposal of proposals. This letter was followed by another letter of 18th December 2008 requesting strict compliance of the instructions PMO has again raised the necessity of issuing fresh instructions as these are not being observed informally.
2) Since reports/comments/responses received in the PMO are ordinarily submitted to the Prime Minister all such reports/comments and responses from the Ministries/Departments should come with the approval of the competent authority. this fact of the approval of the competent authority should be specifically indicated in the communication However in case where only factual information is being furnished, it may be sent by an officer not lower in rank than a Joint Secretary to the Government.
3). I would therefore once again request that strict compliance of the above directions may please be ensured.
With regards
Yours sincerely,
(KM Chandrasekhar)
