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Chapter 06 Noting Drafting and Office Procedure PDF
Chapter 06 Noting Drafting and Office Procedure PDF
2011
CHAPTER- 6
NOTING/DRAFTING PRINCIPLE & OFFICE PROCEDURE
NOTES ON OFFICE PROCEDURE NOTING
The institution is nothing is a legacy we have inherited from the past when the Government of
India‟s Secretariats was small and officers came from the provinces for a specified period. The
place of work was leisurely and the volume small; the condition today is just the opposite. The
Central Government has turned into a vast machine working at great pressure. The work has
grown enormously in volume, complexity and variety. The Government cannot afford to waste
time and manpower by indulging in unnecessary and respective nothing. The dealing hand, while
recording a note, should keep the following instructions in view.
Notes: --
1. Notes are written remarks recorded on a paper under consideration to facilitate its disposal.
2. It should consist of précis of previous paper, the statement or analysis of the questions
requiring decision, suggestion on the course of action or order passed thereon.
3. A note recorded by a Minister, the Prime Minister, Vice-President, or President to be referred to
as a „Minute‟.
4. The name, designation and, where necessary the telephone number of officer signing a note
should be invariably be typed or stamped with a rubber stamp below the signature, which should be
dated. In recording date, the month and year should also be indicated.
In any case there should be no occasion to conceal a note recorded in the first instance. It is also
undesirable for an officer to make his subordinate change his note.
Noting on inter-departmental references:
(i) Inter-departmental references broadly fall under two categories namely--
a. Cases where references is merely for ascertaining factual information; and
b. Cases in which the references seeks concurrence, option or ruling from the
ministry referred to.
(ii) in the case falling under (a) the Assistant in the receiving Ministry may not the
required information on the file itself. In cases falling under (b), it is necessary
frequently that points involved should be examined in the receiving Ministry. The
general rule should be follow in such cases is that any examination should take place
separately through routine notes and only the final result should be recorded on the file
by the officer responsible for commenting upon the reference. The officer to whom
such notes are submitted will consider these routine notes and will either accept the
routine note or record a note of his own. In the former case, he may direct that the
note in a question or a portion thereof should be reproduced on the main file for
communication for Ministry concerned. In the latter case, if the final note is written by
hand, it should be written on the file itself and a copy therefore kept as record of the
final disposal. If the last note is typewritten, it should be typed on the file, a carbon copy
being made on the routine sheet. The main file should thereafter be returned to the
referring Ministry; the routine notes which the reference is made, will serve as a record
of the view taken in he Ministry for further reference.
(iii) Where a note on file is recorded by an officer after obtaining the order of the higher
officer the fact that the view expressed therein have the approval of such officer should be
specifically mentioned.
(v) Unnecessary.
The following guidelines are given for dealing with noting on the above five categories of cases:
A. Planning and Policy cases:
These would form a very small number in a Section and require a through examination. The
question that may have to be asked will be as follow: --
Purpose:
(i) What is problem?
(ii) Who is the originator? Is it worth a detailed examination? Are you the authority
who can solve it? If it is another, you should give helpful and positive guidance.
(iii) Can it be broken up into parts? Which are the major ones and which are only
subsidiary? Identify the critical factor. Sequence:
(iv) What are the priorities for solution and which should you choose first?
(v) What is the origin of the problems—political, Physiological human, sociological or
administrative?
(vi) What is the background or causes of the problem? How has it arisen?
(vii) It is ripe enough for a solution? Can it be modified?
(viii) If more information is essential for a solution you can prepare a pro forma for all
required date
(ix) Don‟t ask for information piecemeal. Ask for all details, which are both necessary
and sufficient.
(x) If the any problem is to be solved, what is the rule position Solution?
(xi) Are there any precedents to ensure even-handed treatment or to avoid repetition of
past mistake?
--Find out whether the proposal had earlier been consider and rejected. If so, find
out whether any new grounds have been advance for reconsideration.
(xii) What are the possible alternative solutions?
(xiii) Which is the best solution? Why?
(xiv) What will be the consequences on the totality of the situation?
In preparing a detailed note for consideration at the top management level, follow
the hints given in preparing summary or statement of case for Ministry given in
Para.7.
Routine/Repetitive cases:
In respect of these cases, “A standard Process Sheet” which means a standard skeleton note
developed for a repetitive item of work indicating pre-determined points of check or aspect to be
noted upon should be used. In non-repetitive cases, a fair draft should be put up without any
noting.
Unnecessary cases:
These should be dak stage itself by the Section Officer or desk functionary recording in brief
the reasons why no action is necessary. They should be kept in file ”O” bundle, i.e., cases to kept
with the datary and destroyed on 31st December of every year.
Such as functional noting, if followed by the dealing Assistance and the desk functionaries
would greatly facilitate the decision-making authority to choose the best alternative in any
problem. It would be convenient if the answers to be queries were put in the short paras.
preferably in type.
If this functional noting is practiced regularly, it will be contributed greatly to an analytical
view of thing improve the quality of noting. Such noting should, however, be adhered to only if
cases required detailed noting and not in cases where draft could be submitted without notes to
the Divisional head after discussion with him where necessary.
be indicated at the end of the draft on the bottom left of the page thus—„Encl 3‟
5) If copies of an enclosure referred to in the draft are available and are, therefore, not be
typed, an indication to effect will be given in the margin of the draft below the relevant
oblique line.
6) If the communication to be dispatched by post is important (e.g., a notice canceling a
license or withdrawing an existing facility) or encloses a valuable document (such as an
agreement, service book or cheque) instructions as to whether it should be sent through
registered post in or in an insured cover, or under a certificate of posting, will be given on
the draft by the section officer concerned with its issue.
7) Urgent communications with bulky enclosures to far-flung areas like Andaman &
Nicobar Island will be arrange to be dispatched by Air Parcel through Indian Airlines. The
addressee will also be advice through wireless to take delivery of the consignment.
Instructions to this given by the divisional head/branch officer/section officer at the time of
approval of draft.
8) The name designation and telephone number of the officer, over whose signature the
communication is to be issue, should invariably be indicated on the draft.
9) In writing or typing a draft, sufficient space should be left for the margin and between the
successive lines to admit of additions or interpolation of words, if necessary.
10) A slip bearing the words „Draft approval‟ should be attached to the draft. If two or more
draft is put up on a file, the draft as well as the slip attached thereto will be marked
‟D.F.A.I‟ „D.F.A.II‟ „D.F.A.III‟ and so on.
11) Drafts, which are to issue, as „Immediate‟ or „Priority‟ will be so marked under the orders of
an officer not lower in rank than a section officer.
12) The officer concerned will initials on the draft in token of his approval.
13) Instructions contained in Para 27(12) will be observed while drafting.
is better condense it into one page in a few small and healthy divided paragraphs in a manner hold
the interest of the addressee, the detail argument can be set out in appendices.
(6) Telex message—In urgent an important matter, departments having telex facilities may sent
telex message instead of a telegram in communicating with out-station parties.
(7) Express letter—This form is used in communicating with out-station parties in matters
warranting urgent attention at the receiving end but not justifying the expense of a telegram. It is
worded exactly like a telegram but transmitted through a post office instead of a telegraph office.
(8) Saving ram—This form is coded version of an express letter and is used in overseas
communication of secret nature. It is sent by diplomatic bag or through registered insured mail.
In all other respect, it is treated like a cipher/code telegram.
(9) Office order—This form is normally use for issuing instruction meant for internal
administration, e.g., grant of regular leave, distribution of work between officer and sections.
(10) Order—This form is use for issuing certain types of financial sanctions and the
communicating Government orders in disciplinary cases, etc., to the official concerned.
(11) Notification—This form is mostly used in notifying the promulgation of statutory rules and
orders, appointments and promotions of gazetted officers, etc., through publication in the Gazette of
India. The composition of the Gazette, the types of matters which are to be published in each part
and section thereof, and the instructions for sending the matter for publication therein are
indicated in Appendix 8.
(12) Resolution—This form of communication is used for making public announcements of
decisions of Government in important matters of policy, e.g. the policy of industrial licensing,
appointment of committees or commission of enquiry. Resolutions are also usually published in
the Gazette of India.
(13) Press communiqué/note—This form is used when it is proposed to give wide publicity to
decision of Government. A press communiqué is more formal in character than a press note and is
expected to be reproduced intact by the press. A press note, on the other hand, is intended to
serve as a handout to the press, which may edit, compress or enlarge it, as deemed fit.
(14) Endorsement—This form is used when a paper has to be returned in original to the sender, or
the paper in original or its copy sent to another department or office for, information or action it is
also used when copy of communication is proposed to be forwarded to parties others than the
one to which it is addressed. Normally this form will not be used in communicating copies to
States Governments. The appropriate form for such communication should be letter.
Correspondent with Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats –Communication meant for
the Lok Sabha Secretariats or the Rajya Sabha Secretariats and requiring urgent or high level
attention may be addressed to the Secretaries concerned and not to the Speaker or the Chairman
direct.
Correspondence with Member of Parliament—(1) communications received from member of
Parliament should be attended to promptly.
(2) Where a communication is address to a Minster, it should, as far as practicable, be replied by
the Minister himself. In other cases, a reply should normally issue over the signature of an officer
not below the rank of Joint Secretary.
(3) Normally information sort by member should be supply unless it is of such a nature that it
would have been denied to him even if asked for on the floor of the house of parliament.
(4) As far as possible, in corresponding with Member of Parliament pre-printed or cyclostyled
replies should be avoided.
Correspondence with foreign Government and International organizations—
Correspondence with foreign Government and their mission in India, heads of Indian Diplomatic
mission in posts abroad and United nation and its specialized agencies with normally be
canalized through the Ministry of external Affairs. The cases in which and the conditions subject
to which direct correspondence may resorted to are indicated in the instructions entitled
“Channel of communication between the Government of India and State Government on the one
hand; and foreign and common wealth Government or their mission in India, heads of Indian
Diplomatic mission and post abroad in united nation and it specialized agencies on the other”
issued by the Ministry of External Affair.
OFFICE MANAGEMENT
A good office always leaves a good impression on the visitors and helps improve the
organization‟s image. How often we have heard people say "I went to Government office. My
God! It is so badly organization that it is not surprising if everything gets delayed!” You, as an
officer coming into direct contact with public, should do all you can, to avoid such comments.
As part of office management, one must ensure that the work in the office flows in a straight line
as far as possible.
RECORDS MANAGEMENT
INTRODUCTION: Perhaps the prehistoric man did not have any necessity of record keeping
as their main work was fighting for the survival. As the civilization grew and demands
increased, it became necessary to maintain record for business, administration and even for
personal matters. The keeping and preservation of records in modern age, due to advent of
science and technology has facilitated to retain it for many decades without any
deterioration.
Organizations of all types and sizes are required to maintain record and create record in increasing
volumes due to its increased activities, governmental regulation, financial implications and
competitiveness of the business. Efficient and effective record management is essential for
the success of any organization. Technological advancement has provided considerable
assistance in this respect.
All data required for the efficient and effective functioning of an organization depend on its
office 'Memory' system of filling and record storage. Filling and record systems, like other data
handling methods is very important to management as well as employees of the organization as
both depend on files and record storage for sake of organizational survival as well as survival of
their employees. Earlier when pension rules were not liberalized and records were maintained by
audit, many Government employees had to face great hardships and obstacles in settlement of
their pension, gratuity and other benefits and had to wait for years and some time there was
no settlement in their life time.
You can imagine a situation on which records of your Annual Confidential Report is not
BSNL India For Internal Circulation only Page 11
E1-E2 CSS Rev Date : 20.08.2011
available. You may be aware that without this horoscope, you are doomed, your prospect is
doomed and you can not expect any uplift unless this vital record is retrieved and made
available.
This handbook describes the basic objectives of the record storage, system design, retrieval, retention
program of the record management needed/being followed in subordinate offices. Basic purpose of
record control
Currently used information is kept in a file. The word file is derived from the Latin word
'Filium' which means thread. In the filing system papers are arranged in an orderly manner and tied
through a thread. Files which are kept for long term use for frequent references are called records.
The basic purpose for record management is to store, to preserve, and to provide document to
management and employees promptly. Current transactions of all nature are adequately and safely
recorded. Record is kept mainly for the present and future uses but legal consideration and legal
protection are also important factors in its protection. Another of the record management is need
out the obsolete and old record so that space is made available for the new records created and
cost is reduced for keeping the record control programme. Organizing records and filing
In any organization before organizing the records and filing system, the following key questions may
be answered. Who should design filling system?
Who should control and administer the protection and retention records?
How co-ordination between the different sections in your office can be achieved. Record Committee In
an organization there may be a position of record administrator who usually) reports to a top ranking
executive. His responsibilities are to provide help to departmental executives in designing record
system and equipment, coordinating departmental records programs, minimizing duplication of
records and maintaining master index. In many office group B officers it may not be possible to
provide a record administrator but they can constitute a record committee usually consisting of
senior supervisors and JTOs in their organization and plan their strategy for effective and efficient way
of keeping records in their organization.
RECORDS MANAGEMENT
It is defined as a process of arranging and storing records so that they can locate
when required. Proper arrangements of records
Careful storing of records
•Easy availability of records
Requirements of good filing system
There is no unique system of filing however following basic requirements must be kept in view
while choosing a filing system
Compactness: It should occupy the minimum space
Accessibility - This is very important and basic factor of filing system. The files should be
easily located and available if they are not secret and confidential in nature.
Economy- The maintenance of the file system should not be expensive.
Simplicity - It should be understood well by the lowest rank of persons handling
Elasticity - Flexible in all respect
Guidance - There should be a cross reference if the file number is changed or if the
file is closed. Retention- This item is very important for the management of space
and maintenance
Complete- The file should have all relevant data pertaining to its subject and be complete itself, as
far as possible.