Rule 142 of The General Financial Rules 2017 Procurement of Goods General Rules
Original Rule Text
Visual Summary
Establishes foundational rules for acquiring goods.
Applies to all Central Government Ministries and Departments.
Procuring departments issue specific instructions in conformity.
Executive Summary
Rule 142 of The General Financial Rules, 2017, serves as the foundational directive for the procurement of goods across all Central Government Ministries and Departments. It mandates that while detailed procurement instructions can be issued by individual departments, these must always align with the overarching general rules outlined in this chapter of the GFRs. This ensures a standardized, transparent, and efficient approach to public buying.
In-Depth Analysis of the Rule
Introduction: Rule 142 marks the beginning of Chapter 6, which is dedicated to the procurement of goods and services. It sets the stage by establishing the general framework within which all subsequent, more specific rules and departmental instructions for goods procurement must operate. This rule emphasizes the principle of uniformity and adherence to central guidelines in public purchasing.
Breakdown of the Rule:
- Scope: The rule explicitly states that it contains the “general rules applicable to all Ministries or Departments” concerning the procurement of goods for public service. This broad applicability ensures that no government entity is exempt from these fundamental principles.
- Delegation and Conformity: While departments are permitted to issue “detailed instructions relating to procurement of goods,” a critical condition is attached: these instructions “may be issued by the procuring departments broadly in conformity with the general rules contained in this Chapter.” This highlights a balance between centralized control and decentralized operational flexibility.
- Purpose: The primary purpose is to ensure that all procurement activities are conducted within a consistent and regulated environment, preventing arbitrary practices and promoting efficiency and transparency.
Practical Example: Imagine the Ministry of Health needs to procure medical equipment, and the Ministry of Defence needs to procure specialized vehicles. Both ministries, despite their distinct operational needs, must formulate their internal procurement procedures and issue detailed instructions that are consistent with the general principles laid out in Chapter 6 of the General Financial Rules, 2017. For instance, if Rule 144 (Fundamental principles of public buying) mandates transparency and competition, neither ministry can issue internal instructions that bypass these core requirements, even if their specific procurement processes differ in detail.
Related Provisions
Rule 142 lays the groundwork for subsequent rules in Chapter 6. Here are some closely related provisions:
- Rule 143 of The General Financial Rules 2017 Definition of Goods: Defines what constitutes ‘goods’ for the purpose of procurement under this chapter.
- Rule 144 of The General Financial Rules 2017 Fundamental Principles of Public Buying: Outlines the core principles of efficiency, economy, and transparency that must govern all public procurement.
- Rule 147 of The General Financial Rules 2017 Powers for Procurement of Goods: Details the delegated powers of Ministries and Departments for procuring goods.
Learning Aids
Mnemonics:
- G.R.A.C.E. – General Rules Apply to Central Entities (for procurement).
Process Flowchart:
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What is the primary scope of Rule 142 of The General Financial Rules, 2017?
- A) Specific procedures for IT procurement
- B) General rules for procurement of goods for public service
- C) Guidelines for international tenders only
- D) Rules for procurement of services
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B) General rules for procurement of goods for public service
2. To which entities does Rule 142 of The General Financial Rules, 2017, primarily apply?
- A) Only autonomous bodies
- B) Only State Governments
- C) All Central Government Ministries or Departments
- D) Private sector companies contracting with the government
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C) All Central Government Ministries or Departments
3. What is the relationship between departmental instructions and Rule 142 of The General Financial Rules, 2017?
- A) Departmental instructions supersede Rule 142.
- B) Departmental instructions must broadly conform to Rule 142.
- C) Rule 142 is irrelevant if departmental instructions exist.
- D) Departmental instructions are issued independently of Rule 142.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B) Departmental instructions must broadly conform to Rule 142.
4. What is the main objective of Rule 142 of The General Financial Rules, 2017, regarding procurement?
- A) To allow complete autonomy to departments in procurement.
- B) To centralize all procurement decisions at the Ministry of Finance.
- C) To ensure uniformity and adherence to central guidelines in public purchasing.
- D) To promote procurement from specific vendors.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C) To ensure uniformity and adherence to central guidelines in public purchasing.
5. Rule 142 of The General Financial Rules, 2017, is part of which chapter?
- A) Chapter 2 – General System of Financial Management
- B) Chapter 4 – Government Accounts
- C) Chapter 6 – Procurement of Goods and Services
- D) Chapter 9 – Grants-in-Aid and Loans
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C) Chapter 6 – Procurement of Goods and Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Does Rule 142 of The General Financial Rules, 2017, provide specific instructions for every type of procurement?
No, Rule 142 establishes general rules. It allows individual Ministries and Departments to issue their own detailed instructions, provided they conform broadly to the general principles outlined in Chapter 6 of the GFRs.
Q2: What is the significance of “conformity” in Rule 142 of The General Financial Rules, 2017?
Conformity ensures that while departments have flexibility in operational details, their procurement practices remain consistent with the overarching principles of efficiency, economy, and transparency mandated by the General Financial Rules, 2017. It prevents arbitrary or inconsistent procurement methods across government entities.
Q3: Is Rule 142 of The General Financial Rules, 2017, applicable to both goods and services?
Rule 142 specifically refers to the “procurement of goods required for use in the public service.” While Chapter 6 covers both goods and services, Rule 142 itself focuses on the general rules for goods procurement.
Key Takeaways
- Rule 142 sets the general framework for goods procurement across all Central Government Ministries and Departments.
- It mandates that departmental-specific procurement instructions must align with the broader principles of the General Financial Rules, 2017.
- The rule ensures a standardized, transparent, and efficient approach to public purchasing of goods.
- It balances centralized control with operational flexibility for procuring entities.
Conclusion
Rule 142 of The General Financial Rules, 2017, is a pivotal provision that establishes the foundational principles for all government procurement of goods. By requiring departmental instructions to conform to these general rules, it ensures accountability, transparency, and fiscal prudence in public expenditure, thereby safeguarding public funds and promoting good governance.