Uniformity of procedures, guidelines prepared by designated controlling and auditing agencies , the Central Vigilance Commission and last but not least by the NITI Aayog coupled with the guidelines of Union Ministry of Finance , clarity about bidding process and the like should reign high in matters of procurement and managing different developmental projects. It is well said that not only should the projects be undertaken and completed painstakingly but the element of pain should be removed from them which denotes total commitment at all levels. In fact , the crux of the guidelines and instructions issued by the concerned agencies is all about that only. Probity, honesty, straight forwardness without fear or favour , proper auditing even on concurrent basis and adhering to completion schedule are all going to achieve the desirable objectives . The elasticity in approaches towards project management should be such that even the stalled works could again be started with modifications and even with necessary structural changes instead of keeping them in inertial mode or wasting the partially made asset.
The basics are the same and the instructions under reference pertaining to them , again, make things more clear – be it the detailed project report, feasibility report, ground survey, availability of land, clearance certificates from various agencies and departments, statutory requirements and the like . More clarity and even more autonomy is provided through these instructions and guidelines with the sole aim of better and timely management and economising costs . Which methods, strategy and the tools are used and employed all depend upon the team cohesion and empowerment in achieving the objectives and the lucid instructions do provide a facilitating support base. Needless to add, short periodic reporting and appraisal about a project in the process of making not only reflects its better management but difficulties and weaknesses in some areas are known in time and set right too.
Accordingly , the the UT Government having insisted upon to follow the set detailed instructions by the concerned Union Ministry is aimed at strengthening transparency, adhering to timely decision making process , saving avoidable costs , avoiding delays and maintaining quality standards in undertaking projects. The same can be described as interpreting such guidelines more clearly but with expectations of due compliance . Though e-tendering is now an acceptable norm , still lot of improvement in actual compliance is required for which it is specifically stressed that the general tendency in rejecting the single bid in hope for a better one though not always resulting as desired , was to be changed. That obviously has its tangible logic as not only does the process take more time and the resultant delay in undertaking the project but many a time, fresh tender would be costlier than the earlier one. Fresh look in the entire process based on the host of guidelines issued would really impart a new energy in both procurement process and management of projects.
Project management may not look something of a concept but being all related to use of specific knowledge , better skills, tools, policies and techniques of quality standards which the people must find valuable once a project was complete . There are instances where these basics are missing to the peril of the entire objective of raising of a project. We generally take decision making process as a routine instead of treating it basic to a project and absence of a robust decision making mechanism and the delay in taking decisions both have two pronged effect on a project , delay in completion and cost escalation . It can be aptly realised that decision not taken in time can even lead to litigation and again cause delay in the execution of a project.
Timely payments to contractors and suppliers of procurement are as essential as any other component of a project which in turn guarantees better cooperation and quality. The component of land is such an indispensable part of a project that nothing could be conceived in its absence and in acquiring the same , confusion about the title and non-encumbrance as also issues of compensation need to be given priority rather treated as the very start of a project. Vulnerability of a particular location where the land is available and the project needing the same assume peculiar importance which needs to be settled well before the start of a project. The instructions issued in this direction about “minimum necessary encumbrance free” land could be viewed in terms of the location advantages and what could be the limit of such minimum necessary encumbrance could be decided in relation to each case but in no case delays should be allowed to creep in. At the cost of repetition, it could be said that dedication, impeccable probity and transparency , speed and accuracy , quality maintenance and adhering to time schedules could never be afforded to be compromised with when it comes to project management.
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