JKPCC: 2 panels to ‘reform’ cost estimation procedure

JAMMU: After handing over the probe to Crime Branch against alleged scams in J&K Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC), the state government on Wednesday constituted two separate committees for reformation of cost estimation procedure adopted by the Corporation and to supervise its project and management cost control system.

An eight-member committee to be headed by Development Commissioner (Works) will reform the cost estimation procedure of JKPCC. The committee has been mandated to examine the existing cost estimation procedures by the corporation and submit a detailed proposal for making the procedure, ‘more transparent, cost effective’ and include service level indicators on the outcome of the projects.

The committee will also explore the option of proper technical vetting of the DPRs through third party.

The other members of the committee include Chief Engineer, Public Works (R&B) Department Kashmir, Chief Engineer Mechanical Engineering Department, Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, Kashmir, Chief Engineer (M&RE) Power Development Department, Jammu, Chief Engineer Design Inspection Quality Control (DIQC) J&K, Executive Director Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation and Director Finance Public Works Department.

Another five-member committee, to be headed by Administrative Secretary, Finance Department has been constituted, to supervise the Project and Management Cost Control System in the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation Ltd.

Other members of this panel include Managing Director, JKPCC, Development Commissioner (Works), J&K, Director Finance, Public Works (R&B) Department and Financial Controller, JKPCC.

On April 2 this year, government handed over the investigation of major scams in Jammu & Kashmir Projects Construction Corp (JKPCC) to the Crime Branch of JK Police, as the Fact Finding Committee (FFC) appointed by the Government submitted a voluminous report bringing out in detail large irregularities in the operation of JKPCC.

After receiving numerous complaints from many quarters about the functioning of JKPCC, particularly relating to corruption in civil contracts, illegality in appointments at multiple levels including at very senior positions, and excessive cost and time overruns, the Government had appointed the Fact Finding Committee to look into all these complaints.

The Fact Finding Committee was headed by the Principal Secretary (Planning), and had the Divisional Commissioner (Jammu), Commissioner/ Secretary (Revenue) and MD, JKPCC as members. The mandate of the Committee was to look into manner of awarding contracts to contractors, diversion of funds from one project to another, irregularities in appointments at various levels including that of the Managing Director, inefficiency in functioning, cost overruns in project implementation and estimates for construction being much higher than those of PWD.

The Fact Finding Committee in its report submitted to the Government brought out in detail large irregularities in the operation of JKPCC. The report observed that construction works have been executed by giving contracts on nomination basis, whereas JKPCC should have executed works in a departmental mode. Irregular procedures in violation of Government orders and BoD laid down SoPs were also noticed in engagement of consultants and nomination of workers.