‘Strictly follow provisions of General Financial Rules’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 4: Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has cautioned all the departments against executing works without administrative approval with the direction to strictly follow the provisions of the General Financial Rules to ensure complete transparency.
In terms of Rule 136(1) of General Financial Rules, 2017, no work can be commenced and liability incurred in connection with it until administrative approval is obtained from the appropriate authority in each case.
The powers to accord administrative approval have already been delegated by the Lieutenant Governor vide order dated January 9, 2020 and now the Finance Department has come up with a set of instructions for strict compliance.
Moreover, the Financial Commissioner, Finance Department Dr Arun Kumar Mehta has asked all the Administrative Departments to implement detailed instructions laid down in the provisions of the General Financial Rules, 2017 regarding procedures to be followed for according administrative approval.
“While according administrative approval it should be kept in mind that work to be initiated in absolutely necessary and sufficient funds are available in the budget estimate”, the circular said, adding “unnecessary items of expenditure in the proposal should be avoided”.
The Finance Department has stressed that per-unit cost of construction should be calculated taking into account rates adopted for similar earlier works as well as normative cost of construction. “It should be ensured that the maintenance and upkeep of the project is factored in the proposal”, the department said.
Laying stress on accord of technical sanction, the Financial Commissioner Finance said, “expected date of commencement and completion of the works should be clearly mentioned and subsequent changes in scope of work should be strictly avoided”.
The departments have further been asked to consider comprehensive proposal for approval instead of a part so that intended outcome is fully achieved on completion of activities proposed.
“It is imperative for all the departments to adhere to the procedures laid down in the General Financial Rules, 2017 and order dated January 9, 2020 for prudence and bringing transparency in the process of execution of works”, the Financial Commissioner Finance said while issuing directions for strict compliance to these instructions.
It is pertinent to mention here that in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 67 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the Lieutenant Governor, Union Tenitory of Jammu and Kashmir on January 9, 2020 delegated his financial powers to accord administrative approval, technical sanctions and sanction of contracts, to the Administrative Departments, Major Heads of Departments and other officers.
“The financial powers delegated are subject to the condition that all Codal Formalities shall be followed as per the provisions laid down in General Financial Rules 2017; Manual for Procurement of Goods and Services, 2017; Manual for Procurement of Works 2019 and Manual for Procurement of Consultancy and Other Services 2017, issued by Union Ministry of Finance and other instructions/orders/ guidelines issued by Government of Jammu and Kashmir”, reads the order dated January 9, 2020.
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