BEAMS, e-tendering like decisions implemented
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 16: Nearly 86,000 projects were taken up without tenders in Jal Shakti Department (JSD) from 2010-2019 but the transparency was restored thereafter with implementation of steps like BEAMS, e-tendering, administrative approval and technical sanction among others.
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As per the official figures, as many as 86,000 projects were executed on nomination/single tender from 2010-2019 by the Jal Shakti Department on nomination/single tender. During almost the similar period, the Rural Development Department also took up whopping 1.24 lakh works on nomination/single tender.
“All Government departments together took up 2,12,641 projects on nomination/single tender basis,” the official data revealed.
However, after Arun Kumar Mehta took over as the Chief Secretary on March 27, 2021, a series of measures aimed at financial discipline were taken which resulted in phenomenal increase in completion of number of projects from just 9,000 during 2018-19 to 92,000 in 2022-23.
The measures include Budget Estimation, Allocation and Monitoring System (BEAMS), e-tendering, administrative approval and technical sanction in execution of projects. The Information Technology intervention also brought more transparency where all details of projects and services were put in public domain, the sources said.
“Due to this, Jammu and Kashmir was rated as top performing State/UT in the country,” the sources pointed out.
Till 2019, only 31 percent households i.e. 5.78 lakh were provided with tap water connections under Jal Jeevan Mission while the numbers went up to 81 percent i.e. 15.04 lakh by December 2024.
“As many as 3253 schemes (Rs 13,000 cr) were planned and 19.21 lakh households were provided FHTCs. Shahpur Kandi dam project also commenced by the then administration from which J&K was to receive 1150 cusecs water-20 percent of electricity at low cost besides creating irrigation potential of more than 32,000 hectares benefitting areas of Samba and Kathua. Flood Management of River Jhelum Phase-I was completed which increased carrying capacity from 31,800 cusecs to 41,000 cusecs. Ninety eight NABL Labs were established for water testing and online billing system was introduced,” the sources said.
It was during the then administration that the J&K achieved an unprecedented level of transparency in the financial management through financial reforms and interventions made by the Government which include the activity-wise online release of funds which enabled monitoring and public overview of works being executed & resources for meaningful transparency portal which gives details of projects and related expenses and puts then in public domain, geo-tagged photographs mandatory for payments; online billing through “JK Payment System”; streamlining of GST; e-stamping; e-GRAS; digital payments; implementation of GeM; publication of important manuals relating to Budget and Audit, Back to Village and My Town My Pride initiatives and 100% physical verification of projects.
Key reforms introduced by the Jammu and Kashmir Government in its financial structure envisaging added transparency and accountability brought UT’s fiscal system at par with any other progressive arrangement across the country.
Promoting good governance in the financial management was one of the core objectives of the then administration.
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