*Disbursement of funds to beneficiaries strictly through DBT
Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Dec 12: In order to streamline the revenue expenditure, bring transparency and ensure timely delivery of goods and services, Government has issued a slew of guidelines and directed the concerned officers to ensure that developmental works are executed in line with Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) guidelines and General Financial Rules (GFR).
As per the guidelines issued by the Finance Department, there shall be no deviation in the scope of work after it is tendered and allotted in line with CVC guidelines and procedures prescribed under GFR.
The Government also made it clear that the funds earmarked under the beneficiary oriented schemes shall be disbursed strictly through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode under Public Financial Management System (PFMS) and no beneficiary related bills shall be entertained by the Treasury Officer unless schemes are registered on the PFMS portal with effect from 1st February 2021.
The guidelines bar Treasury Officers from entertaining cases of parking of funds under civil deposits unless sanctioned by the Finance Department and warned of strict action in case any DDO or Treasury Officer violates these norms.
All the DDOs and Treasury Officers have been directed to ensure that no bills on account of rent are entertained in the Treasury without Rent Assessment order issued by the competent authority, and check that the rent payable does not exceed the rent assessment.
Government also directed that no bills beyond the allotted cost or any revision thereof by competent authority as per procedure laid down and relevant provisions of GFR should be entertained in the treasuries.
Observing that timely delivery of goods and services is of immense importance, Government in its guidelines said, “If the delay is found on the part of the supplier/contractor, penalty as stipulated in contract document shall be levied and any relaxation shall be given only with the approval of next higher authority”.
“However, if the delay is found on the part of executing agency, the matter shall be brought to the notice of Administrative Department for suitable corrective action,” says the guidelines.
Further, the TOs have been asked to point out cases of exceptional delays by respective DDOs without adequate reasons and submit Monthly Delay Reports as already mandated. The directions have also been passed to release due payments to the contractors from time to time so that works can be executed within the time frame.
The guidelines said that the security deposit of the contractors shall remain withheld for defect liability period and shall be released only after satisfactorily completion of work and report by the concerned authority.
“Penalty as stipulated in the supply order shall be levied on the firms or companies if they delay supplies of goods beyond the prescribed limits even after receiving advance payments,” says the guidelines and added that the penalties levied shall be remitted into Government account as miscellaneous receipt under M.H: 0070-Other Administrative Services.
Further, TOs have been directed to ensure that all the works related bills are supported by Measurement Block duly signed by the concerned executing agency while preferring invoices to the Treasury, which should be consistent with the bill and all other related documents.
It has been clearly mentioned in the guidelines that under no circumstances, electricity bills shall be drawn in cash as Power Development Department shall furnish online electricity bills on monthly basis to each DDO, who in-turn shall contra-credit the monthly billed amount to M.H: 0801 through JK Payment System (JKPAYSYS).
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