SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Public Works (R and B) Department has said action is taken against contractors and government officers or engineers wherever delays, poor-quality work, premature deterioration or other deficiencies in road projects are established.
The department stated this in a reply to a starred question by MLA Sunil Bhardwaj regarding delays in the execution and completion of roads and allied works.
The government acknowledged concerns over the quality and timely completion of certain works, saying such cases are examined individually and remedial or contractual action is taken wherever deficiencies or delays are found.
It said delays or premature deterioration could arise from site-specific conditions, adverse weather, contractual deficiencies or other force majeure circumstances. Quality-control, inspection and monitoring mechanisms have also been put in place to oversee the standard and progress of works.
On the award of contracts, the department said tenders are not decided solely on the basis of the lowest financial bid. The technical capacity, past performance, quality record, available resources and demonstrated ability of bidders to complete works within the stipulated period are also considered under the applicable tender conditions.
The department said contracts are awarded only after the successful bidder meets the prescribed technical and eligibility requirements and demonstrates the capacity to execute and complete the work satisfactorily within the stipulated timeframe.
The government further said the Standard Bidding Document contains provisions relating to quality control, Performance Security and CDR, defect liability and penalties or compensation for delayed, abandoned or sub-standard works.
Depending on the nature of a contractor’s default, action can include notices for rectification, levy of liquidated damages or penalties, recovery of expenditure incurred on rectification, forfeiture of EMD or Performance Security, termination of the contract, execution of balance work at the contractor’s risk and cost, and debarment from future tendering wherever warranted.
The department said responsibility is also fixed against government officers and engineers where poor supervision, negligence, dereliction of duty, procedural lapses or certification of defective or sub-standard works are established.
Such cases are examined after following the prescribed procedure, with disciplinary action initiated under applicable service rules, including the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, wherever applicable.
The department said action against both contractors and officials is taken after due verification and in accordance with the applicable contractual provisions, rules and principles of natural justice.
On blacklisting or debarment of contractors during 2025-26, the department said details of contractors against whom action has been taken, along with the nature of the default and action imposed, have been provided in Annexure A accompanying the reply.
