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NEW DELHI: The ministries of defence and external affairs have been pulled up for failing to consult National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his secretariat on Cabinet matters that have implications on security.In a letter to the ministries, the Cabinet secretariat has stated that all matters that have a security angle need to be processed through the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) at the time of interministerial consultations.In particular, the communication points to the department of ex-servicemen welfare, defence production and external affairs for failing to comply with instructions to consult the NSCS while preparing notes for the Cabinet.“It has been observed that consultations with NSCS/NSA are not being undertaken by certain ministries/departments…..you are requested to direct all concerned to ensure strict compliance of the extant instruction in this regard,” an official communication by the Cabinet secretariat reads.Others named for failing to consult the NSA are the Department of Atomic Energy and Space that falls under the purview of the prime minister’s office. The instruction points out to past orders on the matter, including one from January 2005 that specifies that all matters with security related aspects need to be sent to the NSA before they can be cleared.Under the new security architect of the Modi government, the NSA and his office have been empowered to take a call on key security aspects ranging from information technology and defence planning to internal security and Intelligence gathering.The government accords key responsibilities to the NSCS, including reforms in the structure of administration. NSA Doval, for instance, is likely to head the implementation committee for the setting up of a new Combined Defence Service (CDS) chief, as announced by PM Modi during his Independence Day address. The committee will identify the warrant of responsibility for CDS and is also likely to recommend the first officer who will take over the responsibility.In April last year, the government also notified a Defence Planning Committee (DPC) headed by NSA that is tasked to draft a new national security strategy, a defence diplomacy plan, a strategy to boost the defence manufacturing ecosystem and plans on capacity enhancement and procurement.The DPC also includes chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, the service chiefs and secretaries from the ministries of defence, expenditure and foreign affairs.