In his letter, a copy of which The Secretariat has perused, Somanathan has also reminded them of a two-year-old order, specifying the ministries “not to exceed more than four decision-making layers”. 

In the letter, the top bureaucrat also said the earlier order was categorical, but was not implemented by many ministries, and that this has been causing potential delays in file processing, which is against the essence of government reforms.

Somanathan, in the letter, also directed the central government secretaries to review the levels of decision-making across the board, and suggested they should have a leaner and flatter organisational structure.

He said ministries and departments should ensure that there are no more than four levels of decision-making and that the special secretary, additional secretary and joint secretary should function independently as bureau heads.

The remarks have come in the backdrop of trends in some ministries and departments where “de-layering” is not being implemented in true spirit. De-layering refers to the effort to keep the number of decision-making levels to a minimum, by rationalising workload through delegation of power among lower-rank bureaucrats.

“De-layering is not being implemented in true spirit. A trend of increasing the channels of submission is against the essence of reforms undertaken so far, and creates potential delays in file processing,” Somanathan said in the letter.

“It aims at achieving a flatter and leaner organisational structure, by putting in place appropriate delegation at various levels, rationalising workload, thereby speeding up decision-making, while increasing productivity and efficiency of officers,” he said. 

He emphasised that increasing efficiency in decision-making is one of the government's initiatives at making governance more responsive, accountable and transparent. He also sought personal attention from secretaries and asked them to ensure that these measures are implemented in letter and spirit.

The Cabinet Secretary, in another letter, also suggested central government secretaries to remain concise in their communications to his office, regarding issues concerning their respective ministries and departments. 

“From now on, please send a very brief monthly letter of one or at most two pages, containing those policy and other matters pending due to prolonged inter-ministerial consultations, which you want to bring to my notice; proposals/references pending for long in the Cabinet Secretariat or the Prime Minister’s Office; particulars of any case in which there has been a departure from Rules of Business; and any other matter/significant development(s) that you feel warrants being brought to my notice,” the letter read.