The Ministers can now approve non-plan expenditure proposals of up to Rs. 500 crore as against the earlier limit of Rs. 150 crore.<br/><br/>In a official release, the Finance Ministry said, as per the new directives, competent authority to approve scheme or project between 75 crore and 500 crore rupees will be the minister-in-charge of the ministry or department.<br/><br/>Earlier, the minister had powers to approve proposals up to Rs. 150 crore. Proposals up to Rs. 75 crore can be approved by the secretary of the administrative ministry or department.<br/><br/>In case of non-plan schemes entailing expenditure between 500 crore and 1,000 crore rupees, the competent authority is the minister-in charge and minister of finance. Expenditure beyond Rs. 1,000 crore require clearance of the Cabinet or Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.<br/><br/>Making changes in the delegation of financial power rules, 1978, the Finance Ministry's office memorandum said that a three member Committee of Non-Plan Expenditure (CNE) has been constituted with Expenditure Secretary as chairman.<br/><br/>The other members are CEO of NITI Aayog and Secretary of the Department concerned.<br/><br/>Also, all non-plan expenditure proposals involving expenditure of over Rs. 300 crore recurring or non-recurring, on a new service or for expansion of existing services will be required to be submitted to the CNE for appraisal.