Outsourced manpower in Government as Consultant: Rajya Sabha Q&A

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

RAJYA SABHA

ANSWERED ON  04.12.2014

(a) whether the Ministry has information on the total strength of outsourced manpower currently deployed in Government of India;

(b) to appreciate the issues related to outsourced manpower is it not necessary that Government update itself on important fact relating to this segment; and

(c) with a view to bringing about greater transparency in their hiring whether Government feels the necessity of issuing comprehensive guidelines in this regard?

ANSWER

(a) & (b): As per the General Financial Rules, 2005 the respective Ministries/Departments may hire external professionals, consultancy firms or consultants for a specific job or outsource certain services. No centralized data is maintained.

(c): The fundamental principles applicable to all Ministries/Departments regarding engagement of consultants and outsourcing of services are already provided in General Financial Rules 2005. The powers in respect of procurement of services including hiring of consultant(s) have been delegated to respective Ministry/Department through GFR 2005 and service/financial terms and conditions of consultant are governed as per the contract entered by the respective Ministry/Department with the Consultant(s). A Ministry/Department may outsource certain services in the interest of economy and efficiency and it may prescribe detailed instructions for this purpose.