CDA stalled, contractors left in the lurch
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 23 2014: Though the Finance Department had on September 19 this year given the green signal to allow contractors to withdraw Rs 47,05,624 (Rs forty seven lakhs, five thousand and six hundred and twenty four) for the works they have executed, the same could not be withdrawn as the Cash Drawal Authority was not issued by October 15, the last date of the validity of the CDA.

Speaking to The Sangai Express a reliable source said that the Cash Drawal Authority was issued in respect of Public Works Department for liabilities of the works taken up under SPA 2010-11 concerning works taken up at Thoubal division, Jiribam division, Ukhrul division and Sadar Hills division.

The last date for the CDA was fixed on October 15.However with the official concerned of the PWD not giving the CDA, the validity of the same expired, leaving a number of contractors in the lurch.

Giving details, the source said that the Works Minister gave the Administrative Approval and then forwarded the same to the Finance Department on August 6.Thereafter the Finance Department released the said amount on September 19 and an official of the Works Department was asked to release the Cash Drawal Authority by October 15 .

However no CDA was issued and only after the validity of the CDA expired, the Finance Department was intimated about it.

When the matter was brought to the notice of the authority of the Works Department, it was maintained that the validity date can be extended.

Towards this end a file was marked to be sent to the Works Minister for the extension of the validity period.

The source said that this was totally unnecessary as the approval of the Works Minister was not at all needed for seeking extension of the validity and it could have been done at the level of the said official.

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