LG gives nod to proposal to empower PWD engineers

NEW DELHI: Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has approved a proposal by the Public Works Department (PWD) to delegate financial powers to the department's engineering officers to speed-up decision-making processes.

The engineer-in-chief, who earlier did not have financial powers, can now take a decision on works that cost between Rs four crore and Rs five crore.

A senior government official said that the move also intends to ensure the accountability of area officers concerned and completion of projects on time.

Earlier, the chief engineer and the secretary had financial powers only to carry out works such as maintenance of roads, installation of road signs, marking of roads among others, the official said.

According to an order issued by the Delhi government's finance department, an executive engineer can take decisions on projects that cost less than Rs 30 lakh.

"The Lieutenant Governor has given his nod to the proposal seeking financial powers for engineering officers at various levels. According to the order, a superintendent engineer can execute the department's works costing between Rs 30 lakh and Rs one crore," the official said.

The principal chief engineer has been given financial powers to execute works that cost between Rs two crore and Rs four crore, he said.