District Construction Committees Formed to Ensure Transparency and Quality in Naxal-Affected Regions: CM Vishnu Deo Sai
Raipur
In a significant move to enhance transparency and quality in construction projects in Naxal-affected districts, the Chhattisgarh government has constituted District Construction Committees in Sukma, Bijapur, and Narayanpur. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai emphasised that corruption at any level will not be tolerated and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that public funds are utilized efficiently.
The Chief Minister stated that projects funded by public money in Naxal-affected areas will prioritize transparency and quality. The jurisdiction of the District Construction Committee will cover the entire revenue district, with administrative approvals for projects being granted by the competent authority as per existing regulations. The district collector will determine the projects to be undertaken through the committee.
It has also been decided that if contractors do not come forward even after three rounds of online tenders, the construction work will be carried out by the District Construction Committee. However, in blocks that are not severely Naxal-affected, projects will not be executed through the committee.
For projects funded through local sources such as District Mineral Foundation (DMF) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, the Public Works Department (PWD), Rural Engineering Services (RES), and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) will be the designated implementing agencies. Only if no bids are received in three rounds of tenders will the District Construction Committee be assigned as the implementing agency. Project inspections, supervision, and evaluations will be carried out by the PWD or a competent officer appointed by the district collector.
To facilitate efficient execution, the committee will have the authority to divide a project into two or more parts if required. For instance, if a road construction project includes bridges and culverts, separate contractors may be appointed for road construction and bridge works. Additionally, if the road length is extensive or if the number of bridges is high, different agencies may be engaged, ensuring uniform quality and cost parity across all sections.
The District Collector will serve as the chairperson of the committee, with members including the Superintendent of Police, CEO of the District Panchayat, Divisional Forest Officer, Executive Engineer of the PWD, District Treasury Officer, and the district head of the concerned department. The committee has been established to ensure the effective implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of construction projects, with a financial cap of Rs 10 crore per project.
The initiative is expected to streamline construction activities in Naxal-affected regions, enhance governance, and ensure that development efforts reach the intended beneficiaries without delays or financial irregularities.
