Ludhiana: In a move aimed at improving transparency and accountability in civic works, the Ludhiana municipal corporation has made it mandatory for officials to attach a “technical and financial due diligence” note with every proposal placed before the Finance and Contracts Committee (F&CC) for approval. No proposal will now be cleared without passing five mandatory checks designed to ensure the necessity, feasibility and financial viability of the work.The new system has been implemented ahead of the next F&CC meeting, with the due diligence format already attached to files under preparation. The officials said the measure was intended to prevent duplication of works and ensure prudent utilization of public funds, without placing any additional burden on the civic body’s treasury.Previously, proposals were often prepared on the recommendation of councillors, following which municipal officials drew up estimates and forwarded cases to the F&CC for approval. A large number of proposals have been cleared since Jan. However, the officials acknowledged that there was no structured mechanism to verify fund availability, necessity of the work, or whether similar projects had already been sanctioned.Under the revised procedure, each proposal will include details such as name of the work, ward, assembly constituency, branch concrned , estimated cost and funding source. Officials will also have to certify that a site inspection has been conducted, the project is technically feasible, work is genuinely required, and the site is free from encroachments or legal disputes.Confirmation that the site falls within MC limits, along with a non-duplication certificate stating that no similar work has been executed in the past three years or sanctioned under another scheme, will also be mandatory.Before a proposal reaches the F&CC, the accounts branch will verify budget provisions and availability of funds under the relevant head. Senior MC officials said the initiative would help bring greater transparency to the approval process and ensure development works are undertaken only after financial scrutiny.
