A recent review has highlighted inconsistencies in how Ministries and Departments handle the appointment of Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) to Ministers. To rectify this, it’s been emphasized that all appointments within a Minister’s personal staff, particularly at the Deputy Secretary level and above, require prior approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). This includes Private Secretaries, where ACC approval is needed regardless of level. Ministries are urged to strictly adhere to the established guidelines to ensure compliance and prevent further procedural lapses. Prior guidelines mentioned in Office Memorandum No. 24/4/2009-EO (MM-I) should be followed.
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No. 25/2/2013-EO (MM-I)
Government of India
Department of Personnel \& Training
(Office of the Establishment Officer)
North Block, New Delhi
Tel May 2014
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Appointments of OSD in the personal staff of Ministers-reg.
The undersigned is directed to say that recently while examining a case of appointment of Officer on Special Duty(OSD) to a Minister, it has come to notice that some Ministries/Departments do not process the cases related to the appointments of OSDs as per the laid down procedure.
2. As per the ACC directions notified vide this Department’s O.M. No. 24/4/2009-EO (MM-I) dated 19.08.2010, prior approval of the ACC is required for appointment in the Minister’s personal staff (other than Private Secretary) at Deputy Secretary \& above level. Further, for appointments as PS, ACC approval is required for all levels. However, despite clear instructions on the subject, the established procedure is not being followed in the appointment of officers, particularly for appointment as OSDs.
3. All the Ministries/Departments are, therefore, advised to ensure strict compliance of the laid down procedure for all appointments, including OSDs, in the personal staff of the Ministers.
4. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.
(J. Srinivasan)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India
Secretaries all Ministries/Departments
(By name)