Construction Resolution Board Likely to address disputes relating to defence construction work

Directorate General of Married Accommodation Project (DG MAP) has announced that it has proposed setting up of a Construction Resolution Board to address and resolve disputes relating to defence construction work between the army and their builders to avoid prolong litigations on account of which such works usually suffer.   An indication to this effect came from Major General Sanjeev Jain, DG MAP, at a Conference on ‘Emerging Technologies in Construction Sector’ under the aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which was presided over by Engineer-in-Chief, Military Engineer Services, Lt Gen Suresh Sharma, AVSM.   Major General Jain, however, added that the proposal is at preliminary stage, which aims at faster resolving the disputes that sometimes stem between armed forces and their builders that are awarded construction related works for armed forces in creating general infrastructure such as roads and dwelling units and the like.   Lt Gen Sharma in his inaugural address hinted that realisation has picked up in the Defence Ministry for coming out with simpler construction procedures as per which the construction activities which could be outsourced with reasonable and simplified norms.   He, however, added that the government is considering to put in norms and procedures replacing the old ones to undertaking construction activities on conditions amiable for armed forces so that these are completed in time and scope for disputes is minimized without specifying a time limit for the proposed norms.   In his opening remarks, Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General, PHD Chamber, emphasised that in construction contracts awarded by the armed forces to the industry, there should be a provision of ‘Exit Clause’ with stress on performance guarantee so that  such contracts are accomplished in time without an edge for contract awarding entity. He also suggested that the contracts agreed upon between armed forces and their builders, sufficient and adequate dwelling facilities be created for construction workers as it would amount to a great service to the nation, however, at the cost of the government.