PANAJI: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of has pulled up the public works department (PWD) for delays in processing of leading to re-tendering and award of works at higher rates which have resulted in additional expenditure of ` 2.89 crore in the last three years.
enquiries revealed that out of 244 tenders awarded during 2007-10, valued at ` 50 lakh and above, there were delays in processing of 99 tenders, ranging between 31 and 365 days. The delays in processing of the tenders within the stipulated time schedule resulted in delays in award of works with consequent delays in project completion, CAG audit team found. The delays in processing of 12 tenders at various levels led to re-tendering and award of works at higher rates, resulting in extra expenditure of ` 2.89 crore, the CAG report presented in the Goa assembly said. Stating that top priority should be given for expeditious finalisation of tenders, CAG said that as per the CPWD manual, a period of 7 to 45 days from the date of receipt of tenders, is allowed for scrutiny, finalisation of tenders and awarding of works. CAG also found that the incurred 27 to 41% of the total expenditure in March during the years 2007-10. As per CPWD account code, security deposits remaining unclaimed for more than three years after they become due for payment are to be treated as lapsed deposits and credited to government account. CAG found that this was not done and it was revealed that security deposits amounting to ` 12.11 crore in respect of 2,826 works, which were lying unclaimed for three years, were not credited to the government account. Raising a related issue, CAG also found that the security deposits collected in the form of bank guarantee amounting to ` 13.72 crore were not renewed despite the expiry during August 1994 and March 2010. This shows that there was no control mechanism existing in the department, it said in its report for 2009-10.
