Rs 158 Crores saved through transparent online tendering process- Harbhajan Singh ETO

As per budget provision of Rs.1000 crore, administrative approval of Rs.776 crore issued

Directs to issue remaining approvals within a week

Chandigarh, December 02

          Punjab Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Saturday said that the PWD department has saved Rs 35 crores under NABARD-28 scheme, Rs 87 crore under 5054 RB 10 roads, and Rs.36 crore under CRIF due to the transparent online tendering process adopted by the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. He said that as per the budget provision of Rs 1000 crore for 5054 RB 10 roads, administrative approval of Rs 776 crore has been issued, and the remaining approvals were also directed to be issued this week so that the works can be completed on time.

          The Public Works Minister said that while praising the concerned officials for the savings made by the department, the department has been directed to further work diligently and dedicatedly. He said that on the works where more than 20 percent has been saved, special instructions have been issued to ensure that there should not be any deficiency in terms of standard in such works.

          Meanwhile, a meeting was held by the Public Works Minister to review the development work of the department in which the Secretary Public Works Department, Chief Engineers, Supervising Engineers, and other senior officials were present. During the meeting, various prospects regarding progress of road works under various schemes like 5054 R.B. 10, CRIF, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, NABARD, National Highways etc. were discussed. Regarding the old works of the National Highway which are being delayed due to the reason like land acquisition, forest clearance etc., the PWD Minister directed the concerned Supervising Engineers to speed up the process so that the benefits of these projects could be delivered to the general public on time.

          During the meeting, Harbhajan Singh ETO said that in cases where several works have been allotted to a single agency, it will be the responsibility of the concerned officials that the agency should work at all projects simultaneously as it has been observed that these agencies used to start another work after completing one, which causes hardship to the general public. He said that any delay in the completion of the works would not be tolerated. He said that it should be ensured that the penalty should be imposed as per the contract, and the extension of the time limit should be considered only in legitimate cases after careful consideration.

          The Public Works Minister also directed that wherever repair of Plan Roads is required, it should be completed timely so that the roads can be kept free from potholes.