The Jammu and Kashmir administration has significantly increased the financial powers of its administrative departments and engineering authorities, a move designed to accelerate the approval process for public projects and enhance the speed of project execution across the Union Territory. This decentralization of financial authority aims to streamline the awarding of contracts and the granting of technical sanctions, while maintaining high-level oversight for major initiatives.
Information was available with The Chenab Times detailing amendments notified by the Finance Department (Codes Division). These changes, enacted under S.O. 17 by virtue of powers vested in Section 67 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, revise the financial thresholds previously established by the Delegation of Financial Powers Rules from January 9, 2020. The enhancements were approved by the Lieutenant Governor and formally communicated by Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary) Finance, Shailendra Kumar.
The revised delegation substantially elevates the ceilings for administrative approvals, technical sanctions, and contract awards across various tiers of the administrative and engineering structures. Under the updated rules, Administrative Secretaries are now empowered to grant administrative approval for individual works up to a value of Rs 30 crore. Furthermore, Chief Engineers, with the requisite concurrence from the Director Finance or Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer (FA and CAO), can approve projects valued up to Rs 15 crore. Major Heads of Departments, which include District Development Commissioners, have seen their approval limits increased to Rs 7.5 crore, while Superintending Engineers can now approve projects up to Rs 4.5 crore.
Crucially, the notification stipulates that all projects exceeding Rs 30 crore will continue to necessitate consideration and approval by the Council of Ministers, following the mandatory concurrence from the Finance Department. This ensures that substantial capital expenditure remains under the purview of the highest decision-making bodies.
The scope of technical sanction for engineering estimates has also been broadened. Superintending Engineers are now authorised to accord technical sanction for original works costing up to Rs 2 crore. Executive Engineers have been empowered to approve estimates for works valued up to Rs 75 lakh, and Assistant Executive Engineers can now approve estimates up to Rs 10 lakh. These adjustments are expected to empower field-level engineers to manage and approve smaller technical aspects of projects more autonomously.
Financial ceilings for the sanctioning of maintenance and repair works have likewise been enhanced. Superintending Engineers can now sanction estimates for such works up to Rs 7.5 lakh, Executive Engineers up to Rs 3.75 lakh, and Assistant Executive Engineers up to Rs 1 lakh. This aims to ensure the timely upkeep and necessary repairs of existing infrastructure.
The powers for awarding contracts have also been significantly augmented. Departmental Contract Committees are now capable of awarding contracts for individual works up to Rs 60 crore. Chief Engineers have been delegated the authority to award contracts up to Rs 30 crore. Correspondingly, the financial limits for Superintending Engineers and Executive Engineers in contract awards have been raised to Rs 10.5 crore and Rs 2.25 crore, respectively. These increased powers are intended to expedite the procurement process and reduce delays in project commencement.
The revised delegation is anticipated to reduce the procedural bottlenecks associated with routine infrastructure projects, enabling departments and field engineering offices to process and implement works more efficiently. By delegating greater financial authority, the administration aims to foster quicker decision-making and accelerate the delivery of public amenities and infrastructure development across Jammu and Kashmir, while ensuring that major financial commitments are subject to rigorous oversight.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
