The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Wednesday announced that it is re-introducing the single window clearance system to streamline sanctioning of ward-level works and reduce delays in its 198 wards.
Mayor B S Sathyanarayana said that a single window clearance system was first introduced in 1996-97, when he was a member of the ward works committee. “With this, councillors need not run from one table to another with files. All files will be cleared at various grades of officers on a single day,” he said. Moreover, work orders will also be issued in a single day. He also urged senior officials not to approve leave to subordinates until the process is completed.
The announcement came as the Standing Committee for Ward Works approved 2,787 works, at a cost of `494 crore, for 2013-14. On zonal basis, 607 works have been sanctioned for East Zone, 744 for West, 626 for South, 292 in Bommanahalli, 233 in Yelahanka, 26 for Mahadevapura, 105 for Rajarajeshwari Nagar and 154 works for Dasarahalli. All these works will get administrative and technical sanction on October 30. The tender notification will be issued on November 6 and orders for all 2,787 works will be issued On December 11.
Committee chairperson A H Basavaraju explained various advantages of implementing a single-window clearance system. “Contractors used to pay earnest money deposit and participate in tenders. They would not take up work, causing delays. With this system, contractors might not be able to participate in multiple tenders as they would need to pay EMD,” he said.