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Rule 198 - Non-Consulting Services | KartavyaDesk

GFR 2017

Original Rule Text

Rule 198 Procurement of Non-consulting Services. A Ministry or Department may procure certain non-consulting services in the interest of economy and efficiency and it may prescribe detailed instructions and procedures for this purpose without, however, contravening the following basic guidelines.

What This Means

Rule 198 of the General Financial Rules (GFR), 2017, deals with how government departments can buy 'non-consulting services'. Think of these as services where you're not hiring experts for advice, but rather for tasks like cleaning, security, data entry, or vehicle maintenance. The rule basically says that each department can create its own detailed procedures for buying these services, as long as they keep in mind the need to be economical and efficient. This means getting the best value for money and avoiding unnecessary expenses. It affects all government departments and employees involved in procurement.

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

Key Points

  • •Deals with procurement of 'non-consulting services'.
  • •Ministries/Departments can create their own detailed procurement procedures.
  • •Emphasis on economy and efficiency in procurement.
  • •Departments must not contravene basic guidelines while creating procedures.
  • •Applies to all government departments and employees involved in procurement.

Practical Example

The Ministry of Jal Shakti needs to hire a company to maintain the office gardens. Instead of hiring consultants, they need a landscaping service. According to Rule 198, the Ministry can create its own tender process for this, outlining the scope of work, eligibility criteria, and evaluation method. They decide to use an e-tender process to ensure transparency. They receive bids from three companies, and after careful evaluation based on price, experience, and past performance, they award the contract to 'GreenThumb Landscaping' for ₹5,00,000 per year. The entire process is documented to ensure compliance with the Ministry's internal guidelines and the overarching principles of economy and efficiency.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are 'non-consulting services'?▼
These are services that don't primarily involve providing expert advice or consultancy. Examples include cleaning, security, data entry, vehicle maintenance, and landscaping.
Can my department ignore other GFR rules when procuring non-consulting services under Rule 198?▼
No. Rule 198 allows departments to create *detailed* procedures, but these must still adhere to the fundamental principles and guidelines outlined in the GFR, 2017.
What is the main objective of Rule 198?▼
The main objective is to allow departments flexibility in procuring non-consulting services while ensuring economy, efficiency, and transparency in the process.
Does Rule 198 specify a particular method of procurement?▼
No, it doesn't. It allows departments to choose the most appropriate method (e.g., tender, quotation) based on the nature and value of the service, as long as it aligns with the principles of economy and efficiency.
If my department already has a detailed procurement manual, do we need to change it because of Rule 198?▼
Not necessarily. Review your existing manual to ensure it aligns with the principles of economy, efficiency, and transparency. If it does, and it covers non-consulting services adequately, no immediate changes may be needed. However, regular reviews are recommended.

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 198 of GFR 2017, what is the primary focus when procuring non-consulting services?

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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