Administrative Approval and Technical Sanction of Govt.
Works
Public Works Department Code
167. There are four main stages in the project for a work, namely, administrative approval, expenditure
sanction, technical sanction, and appropriation or re-appropriation of funds.
I. Administrative approval
168. (1) For every work (excluding repairs) initiated by, or connected with, the requirements of another
department, it is first necessary to obtain the concurrence of the department concerned to the
proposals. The formal acceptance by the department concern is termed “administrative approval” of
the work, and is, in effect, an order to execute certain specified works at a stated sum to meet the
administrative needs of the department requiring the work. Such approval should not, however, be
accorded until the professional authorities have intimated that the proposals are structurally sound
and that the preliminary estimate is sufficiently correct for the purpose. In the case of works required
to meet the administrative needs of the Public Works Department, the administrative approval should
be accorded in that Department.
(2) No administrative approval is necessary in respect of works chargeable to repairs.
Explanation. No administrative approval is necessary in respect of works chargeable to repairs.
169. Application for administrative approval should be submitted to the authority competent to accord
it accompanied by a preliminary report, by an approximate estimate and by such preliminary plans,
information as to the site and other details as may be necessary fully to elucidate the proposals and
the reasons therefore. The approximate estimate and preliminary plans should be obtained from the
Public Works Directorate, when the work is proposed to be carried out through that Directorate. If,
however, the work is not likely to cost more than Rs. 10,000 detailed plans and estimates may be
prepared in the first instance and submitted to the authority competent to accord administrative
approval.
Approved proposals-modifications of. In case of modifications of the proposals originally approved if
such modifications are likely to necessitate eventual submission of a revised estimate, to material
deviations from the original proposals even though the cost of the same may possibly be covered by
savings on other Items, and to cases where the detailed estimates, when prepared, exceed the amount
administratively approved by more than 10 percent, the revised administrative approval of competent
authority must be obtained to the increased expenditure without delay and in the case of
modifications during construction, without awaiting the preparation of a detailed supplementary or
revised estimate.
170. This procedure will also apply to modifications of the proposals originally approved if such
modifications are likely to necessitate eventual submission of a revised estimate, to material
deviations from the original proposals even though the cost of the same may possibly be covered by
savings on other items, and to cases where the detailed estimates, when prepared, exceed the amount
administratively approved by more than 10 per cent. In these cases, as also in cases in which it become
apparent, during the execution of the work, that the amount administratively approved may be
exceeded my more than 10 per cent, owing to increase of rates or other causes, the revised
administrative approval of competent authority must be obtained to the increased expenditure
without delay, and in the case of modifications during construction, without awaiting the preparation
of a detailed supplementary or revised estimate.
171. In the case of works required not for a particular department but in the interests of the general
public, such as communications, irrigation works, and miscellaneous improvements, preliminary
designs and estimates should be submitted for scrutiny by and approval of the Administrative
Department concerned.
II. Expenditure sanction
172. Expenditure sanction means the concurrence of the Government to the expenditure proposed in
cases where this is necessary. In all other cases the act of appropriation or re-appropriation will
operate as sanction to the expenditure concerned. The duty of obtaining expenditure sanction, where
necessary, rests with the department requiring the work.
Expenditure sanction-meaning. Expenditure sanction means the concurrence of the Government to the
expenditure proposed in cases where necessary. In all other cases the act of appropriation or re-
appropriation will operate as sanction to the expenditure. The duty of obtaining expenditure sanction
rests with the Department requiring the work.
III. Technical sanction
173. For every work proposed to be carried out, except petty repairs the cost of which is not likely to
exceed Rs. 2,500, and annual repairs for which a lump sum provision has been sanctioned by the
Superintending Engineer, a properly detailed estimate must be prepared for the sanction of competent
authority; this sanction is known as the technical sanction to the estimate. Such sanction can only be
accorded in respect of works to be executed through the Public Works Department by Government in
the Public Works Department, or, where power has been delegated to them, by officers of that
department.
Note: It is not essential that expenditure sanction should invariably be obtained before technical
sanction is given; but, until funds for the work have actually been allotted or promised by competent
authority, a Divisional Officer cannot be required, except by his departmental superiors, to prepare the
detailed plans and estimates for the purpose of technical sanction.
Technical sanction-what is. The amounts are variable pursuant to the orders issued by the competent
authority from time to time. For every work proposed to be carried out, except petty repairs and annual
repairs, a properly detailed estimate must be prepared for the sanction of competent authority. This
sanction is known as the Technical Sanction.
IV. Appropriation and re-appropriation
174. Appropriation or re-appropriation represents the allotment of a particular sum of money to meet
expenditure on a specified object; it is operative only for the official year for which it is made.
Appropriation and re-appropriation-meaning. Appropriation or re-appropriation represents the
allotment of a particular sum of money to meet expenditure on a specified object. It is operative only
for the official year for which it is made.
175. It is fundamental that no work shall be commenced of liability incurred in connection with it until
administrative approval has been obtained, a properly detailed design and estimate have been
sanctioned, expenditure sanction has been accorded and allotment of funds made and orders for its
commencement issued in writing by competent authority. Provision in the Budget Estimate for
expenditure on a work convey no authority for the commencement of outlay.
Requirement of sanction. It is fundamental that no work shall be commenced or liability incurred until
administrative approval has been obtained, properly detailed design and estimate have been
sanctioned, expenditure sanction has been accorded and allotment of fund made and orders for its
commencement issued in writing by competent authority. Provision in the Budget Estimate for
expenditure on a work conveys no authority for the commencement of outlay.