Construction agencies to pay penalty for violating timeline: CM

Srinagar, Sep 27 (UNI) Expressing unhappiness over frequent revision of cost by executing agencies of different developmental projects, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the government would impose heavy penalty on executing agency, in case it fails to meet the timeline for completing the projects.

He said all components along with cost estimates should be reflected in the detailed project reports to avoid cost revision after approval.

Reviewing pace of work on buildings for newly set up degree colleges in the state, Mr Azad fixed a timeline for their completion, and directed the projects executing agencies to complete construction work within the drawn up schedule.

Addressing a meeting to review the ongoing infrastructure works in colleges here, the Chief Minister said the government would impose heavy penalty on executing agency in case it fails to meet the timeline for completing the projects.

He asked for details about each of the 14 colleges being taken up under the Prime Minister's Reconstruction Programme.

The construction of the college buildings has been allotted to JKPCC and NBCC, who have been asked to complete the ongoing projects by March next so that next academic session was started in new buildings.

According to the timeline fixed today, degree colleges at R S Pura, Akhnoor and Hiranagar would be completed by November, 2007, Sopore, Kathua and Bandipore in January 2008 and Beerwah, Budgam, Thanna Mandi, Mendhar and Dooru by March 2008.

In case of degree college, Samba, the Chief Minister said he would take up the objection raised by army on its construction with the Defence Minister, while about Pattan and Basohli colleges he asked for speeding up land transfer process.

The Chief Minister also inquired about the status of buildings for degree colleges at Uri, Ramban, Bijbehara and Billawar.

He asked the concerned officials to prepare detailed project reports for these buildings and process the cases for obtaining loan from funding agencies.

He also sought details of infrastructure development in the existing colleges.

UNI