A change for the better should never be deferred, least avoided. We cannot look only to the past and the present at the cost of missing the future, hence we must be constantly reviewing , appraising and assessing to find whether better could be achieved with intent to improve and improving in itself, means a change . After that, if we still go ahead and want to be perfect , we must change very often. What we adopted from the British system several decades back could have been the best at that time but to keep clinging on to that without knowing how much that system kept improving upon, is only at the cost of achieving near perfection, quality , speed , transparency and better outputs and results. In respect of engineering practices, whatever we learnt , if not aped from the British system decades back , is all set to be reviewed and improved upon in the shape of an updated Public Works Department Manual which all these years in a row , was not been updated in the form of a comprehensive document for guidance and engineering reference purposes. Despite the need of it having been felt over the years , the same had been kept lingering on and not dealt with in tune with the requirements with intent to mainly bring about transparency and accountability which is otherwise presently found to be not matching with the levels of expectations.
The Manual is all set to lineate the duties, responsibilities, powers etc of each and every engineer right from the inception of a project to its conclusion and to have no confusion or uncertainty. The decision of the UT Government is commendable as very often than not , the functioning and the procedures of the Public Works Department have been found to be in need of a revamp and refurbishing . In order to complete the process, a Technical Advisory Team had been constituted to draft the requisite Manual . Since that was going to impart an institutional strength to the Public Works Department , what is required is, referring to the ones in prevalence in other major states of the country and have cross expert opinions and suggestions and if reports are to be believed , that appears to have been already done . Since this Manual was going to work as a guide, a rule book , a reference book and a realm of individual responsibilities and accountability , it is but natural that it had to be drafted with due care, diligence and technical acumen. Previous documents and aides from here and there stand greatly improved under one comprehensive document to set aside and rule out, any ambiguities whatsoever. A uniform code of practice shall start operating about which adopting of no hush- hush manner in operations is possible and the public too shall be fully aware of the working system and culture of the department. Quality, three tier inspection mechanism, standardised engineering practices based on innovations and modern concepts shall be the hallmark of the requisite Manual.
We have no dearth of experienced, talented and honest engineering fraternity and retired officers of the department who can peruse and suggest for better changes , additions and modifications in the Draft Manual till September 15 , 2020 , the date till which it is put in public domain. The Manual is nothing short of an all encompassing innovative leap towards the functioning of the Public Works Department as provisions are incorporated related to issues concerning Human Resources Development and related matters too. That is why, besides the HRD Cell, Vigilance /Disciplinary Action Committee, IT Cell, Quality Control Cell, Environmental and Social cell, Design and Quality Control and the like have their roles and responsibilities clearly defined in the Manual. We are on the threshold of the Manual formally beingintroduced and officially directed to be implemented . Preparing Manuals and Code Books are guiding and reference comprehensive compact documents. Despite such Books and Manuals being in operation officially, instances of violations are rampant . What is needed is strict enforcement and implementation while getting a feedback about difficulties, if any , in its implementation and to suggest remedial steps and resolution of difficulties in time . Regular reviewing and appraising implementation of any innovative steps taken in administrative areas as the one under reference, require periodic relook , amends , modifications and additions .
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