The Ministry of Finance etc. are aware that according to the present practice, copies of Explanatory Notes on items suggested by the Staff Side for inclusion in the Agenda of the National Council meeting are sent in advance for preparation of the Official Briefs indicating the Official approach to the items. These Briefs are circulated to the members of the Official Side of the National Council in advance for discussing the Official Side approach at the meeting with the Staff Side. It has been noticed that Briefs are often prepared by different Ministries / Departments on the same item but without following a uniform pattern which affects facility of reference and creates confusion at times. The former Cabinet Secretary-cum-Chairman, National Council had commented on this aspect and desired uniformalised rationalisation of the Official Briefs. It has, accordingly, been decided that in future Official Briefs should be prepared uniformaly in which the demand of the Staff Side should be reproduced and thereafter the Official views of the Government should be indicated. The Official Briefs should also indicate the conclusion of the Ministry / Department specifying whether or not the demand can be accepted either in full or in part. The proforma indicating the form in which the Briefs should be prepared is enclosed.

2.     It has also been noticed that in Official Briefs prepared by different Ministry / Department on the same items, divergent views are expressed – one Department may agree, others may disagree with the proposal. This approach variance causes confusion, if not embarrasment. It has, therefore, been decided that hereafter, copies of the explanatory notes submitted by the Staff Side on each item will be forwarded to the main Ministry / Department concerned with the subject matter and it will be their responsibility to consult, if necessary, the other concerned Ministries / Departments and incorporate their views also in the Official Briefs. Thus only one Brief on each items will be circulated to the Official Side members of the National Council.

3.     Ministry of Finance etc. are requested to keep the above in view while preparing Official Briefs on the items suggested by the Staff side of the National council.

Sd/-
BATA K. DEY
DEPUTY SECRETARY TO THE GOVT. OF INDIA