MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE),MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION (SHRI OSCAR FERNANDES)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) As on 1st June,2005, 136 Major and Mega projects belonging
to 12 sectors have suffered cost escalation of 40.7% on
account of various reasons including non-completion in time.
(c) There are 313 sanctioned major and mega projects on the
monitor. 98 projects have reported no cost and time overrun.
(d) Yes, Sir. Government is periodically reviewing the status of
projects which have suffered cost and time overrun.
(e) The shortcomings in completion of these projects include:
(i)
financial Constraints,
(ii) delay in Land Acquisition and
Rehabilitation,
(iii) delay in Award of Contracts,
(iv) delay
in Equipment Supply and Construction,
(v) slow Progress by
Contractors,
(vi) delay in Environment and others clearance,
and
(vii) geological Surprises.
(f) The steps taken to ensure timely completion of these projects
are as follows:
(i) adoption of two-stage clearance system and stricter
appraisal of project before investment approval;
(ii) taking up of projects for implementation only after
funds have been fully tied up;
(iii) in-depth review of projects on monthly and quarterly
basis by the Government;
(iv) follow up with the State Governments in respect of
problems relating to land acquisition, rehabilitation
related issues, forest clearances, infrastructure
facilities and ensuring law and order at project
sites, etc.
(v) setting up of an Empowered Committee in the
administrative Ministries for review of
departmentally executed projects;
(vi) inter-ministerial coordination for resolving
unresolved problems;
(vii) setting up of Standing Committees in the
Ministries/Departments to fix responsibility for time
and cost overruns;
(viii) appointment of nodal officers for each project with
continuity of tenure; and
(ix) issue of guidelines on standard bidding documents for
adoption.
