Rajiv Gauba  

In a first, the Home Ministry has given financial powers to joint secretaries. They can now spend up to Rs. 50 crore for executing works and purchasing land.

Joint secretaries have also been allowed to make procurement through open or limited tender of up to Rs. 20 crore and procurement through negotiated or single tender or proprietary contract of up to Rs. 5 crore, an official said.

Such financial powers have been given to bring greater flexibility in operations, reduce delays and facilitate quick decision on matters involving financial expenditure, a Home Ministry official said. The decision has been taken by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, who assumed charge on August 31.

The joint secretaries can give expenditure sanction to infrastructure, civil, and electrical works under approved schemes and projects up to Rs. 50 crore.

They can also approve purchase of land through State governments, municipal bodies and urban authorities up to Rs. 50 crore.

The joint secretaries can also give authorisation, expenditure sanction up to Rs. 20 crore for purchase of operational vehicles of central armed police forces, Delhi Police and other security-related organisations.

These powers were earlier exercised at the level of Union home secretary, special secretary and additional secretary. There are around 20 joint secretaries in the Ministry.

They have also been empowered to sign agreements for technical collaboration and consultancy services up to Rs. 2 crore, and sanction expenditure of up to Rs. 50 lakh for running of office and contingency expenditure of up to Rs. 20 lakh.