Rule 3 — This rule is about ensuring that government depart
Original Rule Text
Rule 3 Interdepartmental consultations: When the subject of a case concerns more than one Department, no order shall be issued until all such Departments have concurred, or, failing such concurrence, a decision has been taken by or under the authority of the Cabinet. In this regard it is clarified that every case in which a decision, if taken in one Department, is likely to affect the transaction of business allotted to another Department, shall also be deemed to be a case which concerns more than one Department.
What This Means
This rule is about ensuring that government departments work together smoothly when their decisions might impact each other. Simply put, if a decision you're making in your department could affect what another department does, or how they operate, you absolutely must talk to them and get their agreement before issuing any official order.
Think of it like this: if your department is planning a new project that requires funding, and the Ministry of Finance is responsible for budgets, you can't just announce the project without getting the Finance Ministry's 'okay.' The rule clarifies that even if you think a case primarily belongs to your department, if it's 'likely to affect the transaction of business' of another department, then it's considered a joint matter.
The main takeaway is that coordination is key. You need to consult, discuss, and reach a consensus with all relevant departments. If, after discussions, departments can't agree on a particular issue, then the matter needs to be escalated to the Cabinet for a final decision. No order can be issued until either all departments agree, or the Cabinet makes a definitive ruling.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Key Points
- 1Interdepartmental consultation is mandatory when a case involves or affects more than one government department.
- 2No official order can be issued until all concerned departments have given their explicit agreement or concurrence.
- 3If departments fail to reach an agreement, the decision must be escalated to and taken by the Cabinet or under its authority.
- 4A case is deemed to concern multiple departments if a decision in one department is likely to impact the business or operations of another department.
- 5The rule emphasizes the importance of coordination and avoiding unilateral decisions that could create conflicts or inefficiencies.
Practical Example
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is developing a new national policy, 'Swasthya Suraksha Abhiyan,' to provide free health check-ups and basic medication to citizens below the poverty line. This policy involves significant financial outlays and also requires the establishment of new health camps, which might involve land acquisition and infrastructure development.
Before issuing the final policy order, the MoHFW realizes that this initiative will directly impact the Ministry of Finance (MoF) for budget allocation and release of funds, and the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) for identifying suitable locations for camps in rural areas and potentially utilizing their existing infrastructure. According to Rule 3, MoHFW cannot issue the 'Swasthya Suraksha Abhiyan' order without consulting and getting concurrence from both MoF and MoRD.
During consultations, MoF might raise concerns about the proposed budget of ₹5,000 crores, suggesting a phased approach or a slightly reduced scope to fit fiscal constraints. MoRD might point out challenges in land availability in certain regions. All three ministries would then engage in discussions to find common ground. If, after several rounds, MoHFW and MoF cannot agree on the budget, the matter would then be referred to the Cabinet for a final decision on the policy's financial aspects before the 'Swasthya Suraksha Abhiyan' can be officially launched.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.