Srinagar : The Committee on Estimates of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, chaired by its Chairman and MLA Gurez, Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi), Tuesday convened a meeting to review the status of developmental works being executed by the Roads & Buildings (R&B) Department across the Union Territory.
Legislators Ali Mohammad Dar, Javid Hassan Baig, Mushtaq Guroo, Irshad Rasool Kar, Sajad Shaheen, Sunil Bhardwaj besides Secretary JKLA Manoj Kumar Pandit, Secretary Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs Achal Sethi along with senior officers from Finance, PWD ( R&B) and PMGSY were present in the meeting.
The Committee held detailed deliberations on the execution of development works sanctioned during the previous financial year. It also reviewed the status of various ongoing and pending projects across different districts and divisions, particularly those which have not been initiated despite the accord of Administrative Approval.
The Committee expressed serious concern over the lack of urgency and lackadaisical approach of the R&B Department in execution of several development projects sanctioned under the UT Capex Budget during the last two financial years.
Stressing the need for expeditious implementation, the Committee urged the departmental officers to accelerate the pace of work and ensure the completion of all ongoing projects within the shortest possible time so that the public is relieved of the inconvenience caused due to prolonged delays.
The Committee also took serious note of the practice of awarding contracts at abnormally low rates, observing that such tenders often result in delays and non-completion of projects, thereby defeating the purpose of developmental initiatives.
Emphasizing accountability and timely execution, the Committee directed the department to adopt appropriate measures to discourage non-serious contractors and ensure strict adherence to the prescribed timelines.
It further called upon the department to strengthen the monitoring and enforcement mechanisms so that all sanctioned works are completed efficiently, maintaining the desired standards of quality and within the stipulated timeframe.
The Committee reiterated its commitment to ensure transparency, accountability and the timely completion of public infrastructure projects in the larger interest of the people.
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