J&K admin directs for 100% physical verification of all works completed during last financial year

Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar Dec 08 (KINS): To bring transparency in developmental works, Jammu and Kashmir administration has directed for 100 percent physical verification of all works completed during the last financial year.
Sources said several developmental works have been affected in Jammu and Kashmir for want of funds as government departments have started works without administrative approval.
Despite repeated directives by the administration to seek proper approval from the administration before floating any tenders, there was no implementation on the ground.
Taking serious note, J&K administration has directed for 100 percent physical verification of all works completed during the last financial year.
As per the fresh guidelines, a copy of which lies with news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), no work can be executed without budgetary support, administrative approval, e-tendering, technical sanction and other codal formalities.
As per these guidelines, it is mandatory to have 100 percent physical verification of all works.
“The process of conducting 100% physical verification of all works/projects completed during 2019-20 and ongoing works of 2020-21 shall be completed expeditiously and all executing agencies/officers shall lend necessary assistance to physical verification teams to achieve the desired objective,” the guidelines say.
As per these guidelines, the inspecting teams have been tasked to examine whether all basic codal formalities like administrative approval, technical sanction and e-tendering have been adhered to besides examining availability of budgetary support, DPR, tendered/allotted cost and expenditure incurred etc.
“The inspecting teams should verify any visible and major deficiency which require the attention of the executing agencies for necessary remedial action,” the guidelines say.
The executing agencies have been directed to provide necessary details to the inspecting teams well in time and required support during the physical verification at the site.
“Any deficiency found during the inspection with regard to UT/District Sector works will be brought to the notice of concerned Executive Engineer directly by the DSEOs while as serious deficiencies will be brought to the notice of the Chief Engineer R&B/head of the executing agency concerned for carrying out necessary remedial measures,” the guidelines read.
Earlier, a circular was issued on July 8, 2020 where authorities of the Finance Department have pointed out that many departments were not uploading tender documents on e-portal and not following standard terms and conditions before starting any work.
In the circular, it has been mentioned that no work shall be initiated without administrative approval.
Similarly in March this year, the Finance Department has mentioned that many departments were not following proper procedure before starting any work.
Sources told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that authorities have taken a serious note of this issue. “It has been decided to take strict action against officials who have started work without approval from the Finance and Planning and Development Department,” a top official in Finance Department said. “Those found guilty will face action as per the Service Conduct Rules,” the official said.
The official said that several departments while projecting new schemes and project proposals for inclusion in the annual action plans had not consulted the Finance and Planning and Development departments.
The source said that concurrence of Planning and Finance department is imperative before projecting new developmental works. (KINS)