Chhattisgarh to form 'District Construction Committee'

RAIPUR,CG,INDIA: The Chhattisgarh government, led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, has approved the formation of a District Construction Committee to ensure transparency and accountability in construction projects across Naxal-affected districts like Sukma, Bijapur, and Narayanpur.

Sai has emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, prioritizing quality and financial transparency in public projects. The General Administration Department has issued an order to establish the committee, which will oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring of construction works. The District Collector will serve as its chairman, with key officials such as the Superintendent of Police, Zilla Panchayat CEO, Public Works Department Executive Engineer, and District Treasury Officer as members.

The District Construction Committee will operate at the revenue district level. The administrative approvals will follow existing regulations, the District Collector will determine the projects undertaken. In cases where online tenders fail to attract contractors, urgent works will be assigned to the committee. However, in less-affected blocks, reliance on the committee will be minimized. Funds from DMF/CSR and other local sources will primarily be allocated to established agencies like PWD, RES, and PMGSY. Only if no agency takes up a project despite three consecutive tenders will the District Construction Committee be authorized to execute it. The committee will handle projects up to ₹10 crore, ensuring adherence to e-tendering norms for transparency.

For major infrastructure projects, such as roads and bridges, work may be divided among multiple contractors to streamline execution. However, the committee must ensure that the quality, cost, and pricing remain uniform across different segments. Any fragmentation of projects must maintain standardized pricing consistent with district trends over the past three years.

A competent technical officer appointed by the Public Works Department or the Collector will oversee inspection, supervision, and evaluation of the works. Before accepting tenders, authorities must verify the appropriateness of rates, referencing similar projects from the past three months. A detailed cost analysis, including market rates for labor, materials, and logistics, will be conducted to ensure fair pricing.

The initiative aims to uphold transparency, efficiency, and quality in public construction projects while addressing critical infrastructure needs in Naxal-affected regions.