Govt tweaks PMGSY guidelines to expedite execution of projects

Srinagar: Noticing delay in implementation of various projects under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in Jammu and Kashmir, the Public Works (R&B) Department has issued Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for strengthening procurement for awarding of work and execution of projects in time frame.
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana is a nationwide plan in India to provide good all-weather road connectivity to unconnected villages. While as reports have emerged that the R&B department is taking time in awarding projects sanctioned under PMGSY resulting in a delay in implementation of the project as per the timelines in Jammu and Kashmir.
In this regards an order has been issued by Shailendra Kumar, Principal Secretary to Government. The order reads, “It has been observed that department is taking more than required time in awarding projects sanctioned under PMGSY resulting delay in implementation of the project as per the timelines”.
“Whereas the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India has issued revised guidelines in the operational manual of PMGSY, wherein a timeframe of various activities of the tendering process has been fixed. It is, therefore, felt necessary that Standard Operating Procedure be issued for the strengthening of time taken for awarding of works”, it added.
“Sanction is hereby accorded for issuance of SOP for strengthening procurement system for awarding of works under PMGSY-II and PMGSY-III as per the time frame of various activities in the tendering process”, the order reads.
With regarding the issuance of administrative financial approvals technical sanction and preparatory work for issue of tender notice, the department has framed 10 days-time, while for advertising the press notice/NIT has been put to 10th day after integration with OMMAS and GePNIC, NIT can be published by pushing sanctioned word data from OMMAS to GePNIC.
While as the last date for submission of bids and opening of Tenders (Opening of the outer envelope and Technical Bids) have been framed to 10 days with cumulative days increased to 31 days. Whereas evaluation of technical bids and not notification of results of Technical Bids including resolution of complaints, if any have been framed to 10 days with cumulative days have been put forth to 41 days. While the time for commencement of work has been framed to 7 days with cumulative days to been put to 72 days
As per the order, all formalities start from the publication of the advertisement/NIT to the award of works issue to a letter to intent/acceptance etc) shall be completed within a period of 38 days. In case of works are to be re-tendered, instead of 21 days initially given for submission of bids, 15 days-time be given during the next bidding process.
“Timeline is to be followed scrupulously in awarding of sanctioned projects following the amended provision of para 8.1.2 of operational of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana”, the order added.