TOBA TEK SINGH, July 24: The Punjab government has allowed the union councils execution of development projects costing less than Rs100,000 in their respective areas, a local government official said here on Wednesday.

The projects costing more than Rs100,000, may be executed through the tehsil municipal administration or the district government. The official said the TMA, or the district government, shall be responsible for preparing detailed estimates and obtaining technical sanction.

The projects costing less than Rs100,000 may be contracted out or executed through a project committee comprising the UC Nazim, the Naib Nazim, three councillors including a woman and the municipal services secretary.

Tenders shall be invited in case of the contract option and the contract awarded in the manner prescribed by Punjab Local Councils Contract Rules and in the form prescribed by the Communications and Works Department. The union administration shall be competent to get works costing less than Rs5,000 executed through project committees without approval of the union council.

When a project is executed by a project committee, it shall be responsible for arranging the supply of material and labour at competitive rates by calling quotations and for the execution of work according to design and specifications.

The UC Nazim shall release the estimated cost of the project through a cross cheque in the name of project committee in two equal instalments.

The funds so released shall be kept in an account of scheduled Bank to be jointly operated by two members of the committee.