Time is of the essence

Days after the cabinet secretariat sent out a message saying that the National Security Adviser (NSA) is not being kept in the loop on security-related issues by intelligence agencies, Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrasekhar has shot off a letter to all ministries advising them to be very careful about signing MoUs with foreign governments. Chandrasekhar is annoyed that ministries send proposals relating to agreements with foreign governments for clearance to the Cabinet or the Cabinet Committee concerned at the “very last moment” whenever there is an in-and-out visit by a dignitary, leaving little time for proper perusal. The Cabinet Secretary has now instructed all ministries to put in place a mechanism for placing such proposals before the Cabinet in time to avoid rushing them through, considering that all visits by foreign dignitaries are planned well in advance.