Delhi government gives financial powers to department secretaries

New Delhi: In a bid to expedite the development works and to streamline the inter-departmental activities, the Delhi government has delegated financial powers to the principal secretaries of the respective departments for incurring expenditure on hiring of services.

Officials said that these may include contractual services, manpower or other services required by the particular department for the smooth functioning of the department and timely completion of the projects.

“The finance department has delegated financial powers to the principal secretaries/secretaries/HODs of the govt of NCT of Delhi for incurring expenditure on procurement of store items, hiring of services, etc.,” the circular issued by the principal accounts office of the Delhi government said.

The circular also rebuked the Public Works Department (PWD) for not adhering to the orders of the finance department and asked it to strictly follow them. “The above said instructions of the finance department would not only be required to be followed in the departments but in the divisions of the PWD and I&FC (irrigation and flood control department). But it has been observed that the orders of the finance department are not being followed in the divisions of PWD,” it said.

Officials said that the PWD has been given special powers for the timely completion of the development projects in the national capital and the recent circular has been issued in this regard. “It is therefore advised that the instructions may be issued to all the divisions under your control to strictly follow the instructions/orders issued by the finance department of the govt of NCT of Delhi from time to time on the procurement of store items, hiring of vehicles, manpower, etc.,” it said.

The circular added that whenever the approval of the finance department is required, it should be “obtained invariably in all cases. Any lapse on this account would be reported to the finance department for appropriate action.”