Question : DELAYED SUPPLY OF MATERIALS BY CPWD

(a) whether it is a fact that delayed supply of drawings, designs, materials and communication of decisions by CPWD to the contractors resulted in delay in executing contracts and also in payment of compensation and damages to the tune of Rs.262.74 lakhs in recent years;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether it is also a fact that CPWD failed to fix the responsibility on its own officials;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the Government propose to take action against those responsible for this; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT & POVERTY ALLEVIATION ( SHRI O. RAJAGOPAL )

(a)&(b): The amount of Rs.262.74 lakhs pertains to 402 arbitration awards spanning over period of 19 years between 1975-76 to 1994-95. The amount includes payments on account of various aspects namely, escalation and interest; increase in market rate; idle labour, tools & plant; loss of material at godown, rent for godown, watch and ward etc. The awarded amount is quite insignificant compared to the total contract value involved.

(c)to(f): The delays have occurred due to various factors like site conditions, changes in client`s requirement etc. As most of these factors are beyond the control of individual CPWD officers, it is not possible to fix responsibility on any particular officer in such cases.