-Move aimed at speeding up governance and ensuring timely completion of projects

New Delhi, August 14 (HS): Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has enhanced the financial powers of government department heads and administrative secretaries, in what she described as a step to accelerate good governance and fast‑track the implementation of public welfare schemes.

Announcing the decision on Thursday, Gupta said the measure would ensure that key government projects are executed on time, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that all infrastructure projects must meet their deadlines so that citizens are not left waiting for essential services.

Under the revised norms, administrative secretaries can now directly procure, repair, hire, or maintain all IT-related equipment and devices, as well as purchase other necessary tools without additional layers of approval. This is the first such revision in nearly six years, the last one having been implemented on August 7, 2019.

Gupta noted that the move comes in response to technological advances, rising costs due to inflation, organisational reforms in administrative and financial systems, and the rollout of new welfare schemes. She underlined that Delhi’s annual budget has risen sharply — from ₹54,800 crore in 2019 to ₹1 lakh crore this year — making it essential to use the allocated funds effectively and without delay.

“To prevent unnecessary delays, ensure rapid execution, and complete schemes within the stipulated time, we have increased the financial powers of senior officials for optimal utilisation of the budget,” she said.

In special cases, administrative secretaries will now have full financial authority, including for the appointment of individual consultants, advisory firms, professionals, and project management units; recruitment of human resources; procurement, repair, or leasing of IT equipment; purchase of essential devices; and replacement of condemned vehicles with new ones.

Gupta said the reform is intended to streamline decision-making, cut red tape, and ensure that Delhi’s transformation into a “Viksit Delhi” (Developed Delhi) moves ahead without bureaucratic bottlenecks.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar