J&K Limits Developmental Work Upto Rs 3 Lakh For Local Panchayat Residents

In order to accelerate grass root development of villages, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday announced to limit tendering process of various works upto Rs 3lakh to local residents of a Panchayat.

The government also said in case inadequate response is received to the tenders from the local Panchayat, the participation norms will be relaxed to include bidders from other neighboring Panchayats.

"The decision is aimed at enhancing transparency and speedy execution of developmental works through local participation which will also boost public ownership of the created assets," the spokesman said.

The residents of panchayats, who wish to participate in the tendering process, will have to get registered in a simple system of registration, to be maintained at the level of deputy commissioners.

These registrations shall be done on the basis of documentary evidence like Aadhaar, PAN Card, and Domicile Certificate, while the verification process shall be completed through panchayats and the local police only, the spokesman said.

He said detailed instructions are being issued by the Finance Department on this issue.

To address the shortage of engineering staff in the Rural Development Department, which may affect the pace of works in Panchayats, Rural Development Department has been authorized to engage optimal number of retired engineers on a contractual basis as part of the project management unit in respective districts.

"Instructions have already been issued for delegation of powers to AEEs in the Rural Development Department," the spokesman added.(With PTI inputs)