Chandigarh, February 15 – To ensure more transparency Haryana Government has amended Rule 134 for development works under Panchayati Raj Institutions. Now, Sarpanch, Panchayat Samiti Member and Zila Parishad Member shall be competent to accord administrative approval to works from Gram Fund, Samiti Fund, Zila Parishad Fund respectively if its estimated cost is up to Rs 5 lakh. Besides this, the works of an estimated cost beyond Rs 5 lakh will have to be got done through contractor by following the e-tender process only or by entrusting the work to the Panchayati Raj Engineering Wing, subject to technical approval. Also, all the accounts shall be maintained by the respective authorities as per departmental register.

After detailed discussions in this regard in a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal the e-tendering system has been made mandatory for development works above Rs 5 lakh. Earlier, representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions used to allot construction work on their own to their favourite contractors.

Earlier, under Rule 134, Panchayati Raj Institutions could get any amount of work done by themselves or anyone without issuing tenders. Thus, there were several complaints alleging corruption. To bring transparency in the system, e-tendering has been made mandatory for works above Rs 5 lakh under Rule 134 (1).