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Rule 180 - Hiring Consultants | KartavyaDesk

GFR 2017

Original Rule Text

Rule 180 Identification of Services required to be performed by Consultants: Engagement of consultants may be resorted to in situations requiring high quality services for which the concerned Ministry/ Department does not have requisite expertise. Approval of the competent authority should be obtained before engaging consultant(s).

What This Means

Rule 180 of the General Financial Rules (GFR), 2017, deals with when a government department can hire consultants. Think of it this way: sometimes, a department needs specialized skills or knowledge that its own employees don't have. In these situations, they can bring in outside experts – consultants – to help. However, it's not as simple as just hiring anyone.

The rule emphasizes that consultants should only be engaged when the department genuinely lacks the necessary expertise internally and requires high-quality services. Before hiring a consultant, the department must get approval from the appropriate authority. This ensures that the decision is carefully considered and that public funds are used responsibly. This rule affects all government ministries and departments that might need to engage external consultants.

This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.

Key Points

  • •Consultants can be hired when a department lacks the required expertise.
  • •The engagement must be for high-quality services.
  • •Prior approval from the competent authority is mandatory before engaging a consultant.
  • •The rule aims to ensure responsible use of public funds.

Practical Example

The Ministry of Rural Development is planning a large-scale project to implement a new water conservation technique across several states. While the ministry has engineers, they lack specific expertise in the new technique. They decide to hire 'Aqua Solutions Pvt. Ltd.', a consulting firm specializing in this technology. Before signing a contract worth ₹50 lakhs with Aqua Solutions, the Ministry seeks and obtains approval from the Joint Secretary (Finance), who is the competent authority in this case. This ensures compliance with Rule 180 and proper oversight of the expenditure.

This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'requisite expertise' mean in Rule 180?▼
It refers to the specific skills, knowledge, or experience that the concerned Ministry/Department does not possess internally to effectively perform a particular task or project.
Who is the 'competent authority' for approving the engagement of consultants?▼
The 'competent authority' varies depending on the Ministry/Department and the financial implications of the engagement. It could be a Secretary, Joint Secretary, or another designated official. The specific delegation of financial powers will define who the competent authority is.
Can a department hire a consultant for routine tasks?▼
No. Rule 180 clearly states that consultants should only be engaged for situations requiring high-quality services where the department lacks the necessary expertise. Routine tasks should be handled by existing staff.
What happens if a department hires a consultant without prior approval?▼
Hiring a consultant without prior approval is a violation of the GFR. It could lead to disciplinary action against the responsible officials and potential audit objections.

This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.

Test Your Knowledge

Question 1 of 3

According to Rule 180 of GFR 2017, under what primary circumstance can a Ministry/Department engage consultants?

Related Rules

Rule 271General Financial Rules 2017 (amended July 2024) - Rule 271 - Chapter 10Rule 109General Financial Rules 2017 (amended July 2024) - Rule 109Rule 146General Financial Rules 2017 (amended July 2024) - Rule 146 - Chapter 6Rule 169General Financial Rules 2017 (amended July 2024) - Rule 169 - Chapter 6Rule 215General Financial Rules 2017 (amended July 2024) - Rule 215 - Chapter 6

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