Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini has announced to adopt a policy of zero tolerance on poor quality in government construction works. He has warned the officers that if any negligence is found, strict action will be taken against the responsible officers and employees.
Chandigarh (Haryana) [भारत]July 14 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has said that poor quality in government construction works will not be tolerated at all. He has directed all departments to ensure that every public infrastructure project is completed as per the prescribed standards and specifications.
According to a release, he said that the departments concerned should pay special attention to the layering of roads and ensure strict adherence to the specifications prescribed in the tender documents. If any kind of negligence, poor quality or violation of rules is found in the construction work, strict action will be taken against the responsible officers and employees.
QAA presented audit report
Saini on Tuesday chaired a review meeting of the Quality Assurance Authority (QAA) to assess the quality of government construction works and the progress of ongoing technical audits in various departments. During the meeting, QAA Chairman Rajeev Arora presented an update on the implementation of decisions taken in the last review meeting, progress made by various departments and future action plan. He also presented technical audit reports on ongoing infrastructure projects across the state, highlighting project planning, quality of construction, adherence to prescribed standards and areas needing improvement, along with photographs and other technical evidence. The meeting mainly reviewed the projects undertaken by the Irrigation, Public Works, Power and Public Health Engineering departments.
The Chief Minister said that apart from auditing the construction projects executed by the state government departments, the Quality Assurance Authority should also periodically audit the construction works carried out by the Central Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in Haryana. He said the Haryana government is committed to taking the quality of public works to a new level by promoting better project management practices, fixing accountability and ensuring that every rupee of public money is invested in sustainable, high-quality infrastructure.
Disciplinary action will be taken on negligence
Taking serious note of the shortcomings identified in the QAA audit report, the Chief Minister directed all administrative secretaries and heads of departments to initiate time-bound disciplinary action wherever negligence or violation of prescribed standards was found. He also directed the departments to correct all the irregularities as soon as possible so that similar problems do not recur in future projects.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the decisions taken during the previous review. Officials informed the Chief Minister that instructions have already been issued regarding DPRs and Design Consultants, appointment of Third-Party Inspection and Monitoring Agencies (TPIMAs), providing project information through QR codes, audit of works funded by the Haryana Government by Central Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), implementing a uniform appraisal system based on Standard Operating and Monitoring Procedures (SOMPs) and removing arbitration clauses from engineering contracts. QAA is continuously monitoring compliance with these instructions.
Instructions for filling vacant posts and technical improvements
The Chief Minister also directed the concerned departments including Public Works Department (PWD) and Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) to fill the vacant posts of Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs), Junior Engineers (JEs) and other technical personnel to strengthen project implementation and supervision. Several initiatives were reviewed in the meeting, including integration of technical audit reports with Haryana Engineering Works (HEW) portal and Chief Minister dashboard, formulation of policies for bridges and multi-storey buildings, strengthening the quality control wing, ensuring safety of Right of Way (ROW), preparation of effective drainage and stormwater management plans and enhancing technical manpower. The Chief Minister directed the concerned departments to complete these initiatives within the stipulated time-frame.
Quality Assurance Authority Act will come soon
The Chief Minister also reviewed the progress made on the proposed Quality Assurance Authority (QAA) Act. He directed all concerned departments to expedite the consultation and finalize the draft law so that it can be introduced during the next session of the Haryana Assembly. He said that the proposed law will further strengthen quality, transparency and accountability in public works works across the state. (ANI)
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