The Cabinet Secretariat is under the direct charge of the Prime Minister. The adminstrative head of the Secretariat is the Cabinet Secretary who is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.
In the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 "Cabinet Secretariat" finds a place in the First Schedule to the Rules. The subjects allotted to this Secretariat are:-
1. Secretarial assistance to Cabinet and Cabinet Committees.
2. Rules of Business.
The Cabinet Secretariat is responsible for the administration of the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961 and the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules 1961, facilitating smooth transaction of business in Ministries/Departments of the Government by ensuring adherence to these rules. The Secretariat assists in decision-making in Government by ensuring Inter-Ministerial coordination, ironing out differences amongst Ministries/Departments and evolving consensus through the instrumentality of the standing/adhoc Committees of Secretaries. Through this mechanism new policy initiatives are also promoted.
The Cabinet Secretariat ensures that the President, the Vice President and Ministers are kept informed of the major activities of all Ministries/Departments by means of monthly summary of their activities. Management of major crisis situations in the country and coordinating activities of various Ministries in such a situation is also one of the functions of the Cabinet Secretariat.
SUPPORT TO CABINET COMMITTEES
The secretarial assistance provided by Cabinet Secretariat to the Cabinet and Cabinet committees, includes
1. Convening of the meetings of the Cabinet on the orders of the Prime Minister.
2. Preparation and circulation of the agenda.
3. Circulating papers related to the cases on the agenda.
4. Preparing a record of discussions taken.
5. Circulation of the record after obtaining the approval of the Prime Minister.
6. Watching implementation of the decisions taken by the Cabinet.
The Cabinet Secretariat is the custodian of the papers of the Cabinet meetings.
PROMOTION OF INTER-MINISTERIAL COORDINATION
Among the inter-Ministerial matters, the coordination is required for:
(i) removing difficulties;
(ii) removing differences;
(iii) overcoming delays;
(iv) coordination in administrative action
(v) coordination of policies.
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