Tarapur. The Bihar Junior Engineers' Association has urged the Rural Development Department to immediately halt the practice of non-technical Panchayat Technical Assistants (PTAs) preparing project estimates and maintaining measurement books. The association argues that PTAs lack the necessary technical qualifications and experience required for such complex tasks.

Engineer Gajendra Kumar, General Secretary of the association, has sent a letter to the Principal Secretary of the Rural Development Department, requesting that technical responsibilities be assigned exclusively to qualified junior engineers. The association highlighted that projects like building construction, Anganwadi centers, Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendras, rural markets, check dams, and earthwork exceeding one lakh cubic feet involve intricate technical work such as LS (Levelling Survey) and CS (Cross Section), which demand specialized technical expertise and experience.

The association believes that allowing individuals without proper technical backgrounds to prepare estimates and measurement books could compromise the quality, technical accuracy, and transparency of development schemes. Kumar cited the Bihar Public Works Code, stating that preparing project estimates and maintaining measurement books are statutory duties meant for junior engineers.

The association recalled that previously, under MNREGA, junior engineers were responsible for preparing estimates for schemes exceeding five lakh rupees at the Gram Panchayat level. Technical work for Panchayat Samiti schemes was also handled by junior engineers. The association has called for the re-implementation of this system in the new VB-G Ram Ji scheme, which came into effect on July 1st. They clarified that while PTAs can assist in preparing estimates, they should not be given full charge. The association also referred to the technical sanctioning powers granted to junior engineers under departmental resolutions.