Coming, new system to enhance transparency in public works

Chandigarh: In order to further enhance transparency, responsiveness, and accountability in the effective management and faster implementation of the public works projects, the Punjab Government on Tuesday decided to implement the Engineering and Project Management (EPM) system of PWD (B&R) in all the state engineering departments.

The EPM system has been conceptualised to adopt means and measures to integrate and improve the procurement, execution, management, and monitoring of the public works in a more effective, transparent and efficient manner.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of senior officers concerned, chaired by the Chief Secretary, Ms Vini Mahajan, here.

The robust system under implementation is a workflow-based system for engineering works, covering preparation of work estimates, seeking administrative approval and technical sanction, tender preparation, contract management, e-MB and online bills submission directly to the state treasury with integration of the state IFMS system.

The Chief Secretary directed the departments concerned to implement the system in all the state engineering departments in a time-bound manner to ensure complete transparency, responsiveness, and accountability in the execution and management of the public works projects in the state.

Considering the usefulness and efficacy of transparent, responsive, and accountable working in the engineering domain, the Chief Secretary said it was decided to leverage the EPM module to the other state engineering departments, including Water Supply and Sanitation, Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Rural Development and Panchayats, GMADA, Punjab Police Housing Corporation, Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation, Local Government and Water Resources.

Additional Chief Secretary Governance Reforms Anirudh Tiwari briefed about the system and informed that even NIC has such a robust system in place for the engineering works.

Principal Secretary PWD Vikas Pratap informed that the system is working as per the satisfaction of PWD (B&R) and has been adopted for use in all the field offices of PWD (B&R). He further said that all bills relating to roads and bridge works are being prepared and submitted online to the state IFMS for faster clearance using this system.

DGP-cum-CMD PPHC MK Tiwari, Principal Secretaries Sarvjit Singh (Housing and Urban Development), Jaspreet Talwar (Water Supply and Sanitation), and Secretary Local Government-cum-CEO Water Supply and Sewerage Board Ajoy Sharma also attended the meeting.