Seek extension for projects in time: Government to Secretaries

NEW DELHI: Concerned over delay in projects, all central government secretaries have been asked to seek nod of Cabinet and Cabinet Committees for extension within the initially approved time for completion.

The move comes after government observed that often proposals for consideration of the Cabinet seeking extension of ongoing projects or schemes are received after passage of considerable time following the expiry of deadline.

"Such delays in seeking extension are undesirable as it increases uncertainty on the project or scheme implementation and, therefore, slows down the decision making process of government," Cabinet Secretariat said in a directive to all secretaries.

It has been decided that henceforth ministries or departments should invariably submit the proposal for consideration of the Cabinet, seeking extension of ongoing projects or schemes, in variance to the earlier Cabinet decision, well within the initially approved date of completion, it said, and sought "strict compliance on immediate basis".

The Cabinet Secretariat has modified a handbook on preparation of notes for Cabinet and Cabinet Committees accordingly to include this requirement.