Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy, 2014

The Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy, 2014 requires Union ministries and departments to consult the public and affected stakeholders on proposed legislation before it is finalised. Its purpose is to make law-making more transparent, informed and responsive by disclosing the proposal, explaining its effects and inviting comments.

Publication and consultation

The concerned ministry or department must proactively place the proposed legislation in the public domain and provide a meaningful opportunity for consultation.

• The draft must be published on the department's website and disseminated through other appropriate means for at least 30 days.
• The department should identify and consult stakeholders likely to be affected by the proposed law.
• The publication should specify the consultation process, the time limit and the manner in which comments may be submitted.

Information accompanying the draft

Public consultation must be supported by an explanatory note that enables non-specialists to understand the proposal and its likely consequences.

• The note should explain the draft's key provisions in simple language and state the reasons for introducing them.
• It should disclose the proposal's financial implications.
• It should provide an estimated impact assessment covering matters such as the environment, fundamental rights, and the lives and livelihoods of affected persons.

Feedback and exception

Consultation is intended to inform decision-making rather than merely publish a completed proposal.

• The ministry should prepare and publish a summary of the feedback received during consultation.
• If consultation is considered infeasible or undesirable, the ministry must record its reasons in the Cabinet note seeking approval for the legislation.