Chandigarh: Weeks after the Centre empowered the Punjab governor and UT administrator to approve schemes and projects worth up to Rs 100 crore, Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria has issued a comprehensive follow-up order directing all UT departments to implement the revised financial delegation. The fresh directive, routed through the finance department, formalises the enhanced powers and sets the stage for faster project clearances and more efficient on-ground execution.While financial powers of senior officers and bureaucrats have been substantially enhanced, they will be required to strictly adhere to the General Financial Rules (GFR), CPWD Code, Works Manual, economy instructions, and all other applicable Central government norms. For PPP projects, only Government of India guidelines will apply.Under the revised delegation issued in February, the UT Administrator can now approve projects up to Rs 100 crore, the Chief Secretary up to Rs 50 crore, administrative secretaries up to Rs 20 crore, and the Chief Engineer up to Rs 3 crore. Department heads (HoDs) have been empowered to approve works up to Rs 1.5 crore.In comparison, the earlier 2018 delegation had significantly lower limits—the then adviser (now chief secretary) held powers ranging from Rs 5 crore to Rs 20 crore depending on functions. Administrative secretaries had powers from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 5 crore, and HoDs from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 1 crore. “These revised powers are meant to strengthen officers—administrative and technical alike—so that they can take timely financial decisions without procedural bottlenecks, while still following all norms and Central government rules. With expanded authority, monitoring of especially developmental works will now be far more aggressive,” officials in the Chandigarh administration told TOI.Box:Committees for project approvalsThe administrator has also constituted two key committees to assist in administrative approvals:Projects over Rs 5cr: Committee headed by the chief secretaryProjects up to Rs 5cr: Committee headed by the finance secretary
