Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. File. | Photo credit: PTI
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday (October 25, 2025) approved a five-fold increase in the financial powers of Public Works Department (PWD) officers, the first such revision in 30 years. The decision aims to give officials more autonomy, reduce dependence on higher-level approvals and speed up processes such as tendering, contracting and project implementation.
“In the PWD review meeting, it was noted that the financial powers were last revised in 1995, while construction costs have since increased by more than 5.5 times as per the cost inflation index. CM Yogi said the revision is necessary to improve administrative efficiency, ensure timely project execution and maintain financial discipline. After detailed discussions, it was decided that the financial limits for construction work and mechanical work will be increased at least two to two times,” he said. reads the official statement. Mr. Adityanath emphasized that the reform will enhance transparency as well as accountability in the functioning of the department.
In the revised structure, the chief engineer can now approve works up to ₹10 crore, up from ₹2 crore; Chief Engineer up to ₹5 crore, up from $1 billion; and Executive Engineer up to ₹ 2 crores, up from ₹ 40 lakh. Assistant Engineers will also get limited authority to approve tenders and minor works. Mr. Adityanath hoped that the reform would speed up projects, reduce delays in approvals and ensure greater administrative efficiency, transparency and accountability.
In the PWD division, the financial powers were last revised in 1995, “While construction costs have since increased by more than 5.5 times, as per the cost inflation index. The revision was essential to improve administrative efficiency, ensure timely execution of projects and maintain financial discipline,” the CM added. The meeting also approved key amendments to the Uttar Pradesh Engineer Service (PWD) (Higher) Rules, 1990, restructuring of electrical and mechanical cadres. A new post of Chief Engineer (Level-1) has been created and at the same time the number of posts of Chief Engineer (Level-2) and Senior Engineer has been increased.
Published – 25 Oct 2025 02:52 IST
