(i) Draft principal rule or any draft amendment to the principal rule
(including any Form annexed to the Rules) may be prepared along with
an explanatory note mentioning, inter-alia-
(a) the issue/difficulty that the proposed amendment seeks to
address;
(b) rule-making/regulatory practices on the subject matter, if any;
(c) manner of implementation of the proposed rule; and
(d) the manner, process and timelines for receiving comments from
the public
(ii) After obtaining the approval of the competent authority, the draft
formulation and the explanatory note may be placed on the Ministry’s
website for at least 30 days. Rules which are of emergent nature or
where in public interest it is expedient that they be issued earlier may
not be placed for stakeholders’ consultations or may be placed for
comments for a shorter period than 30 days. The decision on the
necessity/feasibility as well as period of public consultation shall be
taken by the concerned Division in the Ministry.
(iii) The concerned Division in the Ministry shall devise a template for
seeking public consultation which should enable seeking clause-byclause feedback on the proposed draft rules.
(iv) In case the concerned Division in the Ministry considers it necessary
to consult any specific group of stakeholders, separate consultations
with the concerned Body/Institute/Agency representing such
stakeholders could be made. Field offices may also be consulted in
appropriate cases. Similarly, specific consultations with any
independent/external expert, if considered expedient, may also be
undertaken at this stage.
(v) In case the concerned Division in the Ministry considers it useful, a
circular to be issued by the Ministry may be placed in public domain for
public consultation in a manner similar to one for rules, provided that
such consultation may not be done in case of a circular that reiterates /
clarifies legal position, or is meant for information or for compliance by
officers or authorities under the jurisdiction of the Ministry.
(vi) The concerned Division in the Ministry may consider and decide
whether to place circulars providing relaxations in fee or filing dates or

for any other purpose of temporary nature also in public domain for
consultations.
(vii) Where there is a specific statutory provision for consultation, it shall
be followed.
(viii) Where public consultation has been conducted for a new rule or
amendment in a rule, the concerned division in the Ministry may also
consider publishing a general statement of its response to the public
comments, not later than the date of notification of the rule.
(ix) Sufficient period may be given to the stakeholders to comply with
the new set of rules. Accordingly, the date of enforcement of rules should
ordinarily be 30 days after the date of notification unless a different date
is considered necessary for any matter of urgency or public interest.