CHAPTER 10 – WORKS ACCOUNTS

10.1 General

10.1.1 Expenditure on the construction or maintenance of a work may be divided broadly

into two classes viz (i) Cash (ii) Stock Charges. In addition to the main Charge, there are
other charges affecting the cost of work. For example, there may be charges incurred in
other Divisions, Departments or Government, materials received from them or services
rendered by them, or there may be cash receipts such as are taken in reduction of
expenditure in accordance with the rules. To account for all these charges affecting cost
of works, separate accounts are maintained in Sub-Divisional /Divisional Offices for
recording (i) the cost of individual works and (ii) the transactions of individual
contractors/suppliers. These are known as works accounts.

10.1.2 The initial records upon which the accounts of works are based are enumerated
below:-

(i) Muster Roll including casual labour Roll

(ii) The measurement Books
(iii) Work-charged Establishment Bills (other than those borne on regular
Establishmentt)

10.1.3 The measurements of work done by daily rated labourers on a Muster Roll are
recorded in the Measurement Books. The payments to contractors and others for the
work done or other services rendered are made on the basis of measurements recorded in
the Measurement Book.

10.1.4 General instructions in regard to preparation of Muster Roll and recording of the
quantum of work done in Measurement Book and also of writing the measurements in
respect of work done by contract and supplies made in Measurement Books including
Standard Measurement Books are detailed in this Chapter in paras 10.2.3 & 10.2.7 to
10.2.9. The Administrative Ministry, may in consultation with the Accounting
Organisation, prescribe detailed procedure in this behalf.

10.1.5 In recording the cost of an individual work, in the accounts, no attempt is made to
include therein any charge on account of general services, like Establishment and Tools
and Plant, the entire cost whereof is adjusted in the general accounts under the prescribed
heads of classification. But if any service connected with the working estimate for a
work is rendered by another division or department or Government and the claim made
by it includes an authorized charge on account of such general services, such charges
may be accepted and adjusted in the accounts of the work as part of the cost of the work
in the same way as if the services had been rendered by a contractor.

Note 1: When the cost of special tools and plant is included in the cost of a work under
paragraph 7.3.1, the rules in Chapter 7 regarding numerical lists or returns will apply
mutatis mutandis and adjustments on account of the cost of tools and plant transferred to
other works, divisions, departments, or Governments will be governed by the rules in
paragraph 7.3.15.
Note 2: The cost of special establishment employed in the acquisition of land when
chargeable to the accounts of the works concerned under paragraph 17.1.3 should be
treated as a part of the works expenditure.

Note 3: Lump sum charges of Establishment and Tools and Plant recoverable from other
Governments and Departments for works executed for them as a standing arrangement,
should not be included in the accounts of the works, but dealt with under the rules in
Appendix 4.

10.2 Cash Payments

I. Introductory

10.2.1 Cash charges on works consist of payments (1) to labourers and members of the
work charged establishment, of their wages and (2) to contractors and others for work
done or other services rendered. The cost of material procured in exceptional cases (
since Ministries/ Departments in terms of the provisions of Rule140 of General
Financial rules,2005 have been delegated full powers to make their own
arrangement for procurement of goods) through DGS&D or direct from supplier
specially for works are to be accounted for as minus credit to Sub-head “Payment for
purchases through DGS&D”In case of direct purchases from Supplier, if payment not
made in the same month in which Stores have been received the accountal will be by
credit to Sub-head “Purchases pending adjustment/payment to Supplier”. Both the Sub-
heads are to be opened under the minor head “129 – Material Purchase Settlement
Suspense Account” below the Major Head “8658 – Suspense Accounts”. Payments to
Suppliers are governed by the same rules as payments to contractors for work done.

The general rules relating to cash payments and vouchers in paragraphs 6.4.1 to
6.4.8 apply to all these classes of payments. Only special rules are, therefore, set forth in
this Chapter.

10.2.2 Initial accounts and vouchers connected with charges relating to works must
invariably specify:-

(a) The full name of the work as given in the estimate

(b) The name of the component part of it, if separate accounts are kept up for the
several component parts and
(c) The charges (if any) which are of the nature of recoverable payments and the
names of the contractors or others from whom recoverable.

Note: Normally no charge is to be incurred on behalf of a contractor, but where such

expenditure is incurred under the orders of the competent authority, it should be seen
particularly that the contractors or others on whose behalf the charges are incurred do not
get the benefit of any concession to which they would not be entitled if they had
themselves incurred the charges.

II. Payments to Labourers

(a) Departmental Labour

10.2.3 With the following exceptions, all persons engaged departmentally for the
execution of works are considered as day labourers and their wages should be drawn on
Muster Rolls. Form CPWA 21 and charged to the estimates of the works on which they
are employed:-

(a) Permanent and temporary employees of the division whose pay is charged to the
head Direction and Administration.

(b) Members of the work-charged establishment as defined in paragraphs 10 and 11

of the Central Public Works Department Code (i.e Work-Charged Establishment
borne on regular establishment).

For all the labourers and workmen employed on Muster Rolls, Form CPWA 21 a
daily labour report in the Form CPWA 30 indicating the number of labourers and
workmen employed is required to be sent on each day to the Sub Divisional
Officer/Divisional Officer and any discrepancies between labour reports and muster rolls
should be investigated as soon as the latter are received for payment.

Note: Labour reports for Muster rolls containing 15 persons or less are not required to
be sent.

10.2.4 Subject to such departmental instructions as are issued from time to time, Muster
Rolls should be prepared in Form CPWA 21 and dealt with in accordance with the
following rules:-
(a) One or more muster rolls should be kept for each work, but muster rolls should
never be prepared in duplicate. It is permissible, however, to keep one muster roll for
labourers employed upon several small works, in cases in which the total unpaid wages
may conveniently be recorded as relating only to the larger work in the group.

(b) Labourers may be paid more than once a month and the period covered by each
payment may be determined locally, but separate rolls must be prepared for each period
of payment.

(c ) The daily attendances and absences of labourers and the fines inflicted on them
should be recorded daily in Part I of the muster roll in such a way as:-
(i) to facilitate the correct calculation of the net wages of each person for the
period of payment.
(ii) to render it difficult to tamper with or to make unauthorized additions to, or
alterations in, entries once made; and
(iii) to facilitate the correct classification of the cost of labour by works and
subheads of works where necessary.

(d) After a muster roll has been closed, payment thereon should be made as
expeditiously as possible. Acknowledgement, duly stamped where necessary should
be obtained from each payee on the Muster Roll and each payment should be made or
witnessed by the Official of highest standing available who should certify to the
payments individually or by groups, at the same time specifying, both in words and in
figures at the foot of the muster roll, the total amount paid on each date. If any item
remains unpaid, the details thereof should be recorded in a Register of Unpaid Wages,
Form CPWA 21-A (which should be maintained in the Sub-Division), before the
memorandum at the foot of the muster roll is completed by the person who made the
payment.

(e) The subsequent payment of unpaid wages should be made on Hand Receipt, Form
CPWA 28; a note of the payment being kept in the Register of Unpaid Wages as well
as the relevant Muster Roll.

(f) Wages remaining unpaid for three months should be reported to the Divisional
Officer who will decide in each case, whether the liability as an amount available for
payment should continue to be borne in the accounts of the work concerned as
exhibited in the sub-divisional record prescribed in clause (e) or should be credited to
capital or revenue.
Note- For action to be taken on the completion of work, see para 10.5.18.

(g) In Part II of the muster roll form should be recorded the progress of work done
by the labour shown thereon in all cases where such work is susceptible of
measurement. If the work is not susceptible of measurement, a certificate to this
effect should be recorded.

Note 1: It is not necessary to reproduce the details of measurement in Part II, nor
need Part II be written up if progress is reported once a month or often in any other
suitable Form and such separate reports are considered sufficient.

Note 2: The check of Muster Rolls with reference to the entries in the
Measurement Books will be done to the extent of 100% by the Sub-division before
payments are made by the Divisional Officer.

(h) In exceptional and urgent cases, such as urgent silt – clearance of canals or
closing breaches, where labourers are employed casually for short periods, payments
may be made on a Casual Labour Roll, Form CPWA 22, in which the names of the
labourers need not be given but such payments may not be made except by a gazetted
 officer. Nor need muster rolls in Form 21 be used in the case of work done on
Requisition, Form CPWA 32, when entries of daily labour are few, in such cases the
particulars can be entered on the Form of Requisition.

The Administrative Ministry may prescribe the procedure in prescribed form for the
custody and accounting of Muster Roll Forms, in consultation with the accounting
organization as a safe-guard against their possible misuse.

(b) Labour engaged through a Contractor

10.2.5 The payment of daily labour through a contractor, instead of by muster

roll in the usual way, is objectionable in principle. In a case of great emergency it may
some times be found impossible to employ labour otherwise than through a contractor.
Should it be possible, in such a case, to determine the quantities of work done after its
completion or at intervals during its progress, it is expedient to pay the contractor, at
suitable rates, on the basis of work actually executed. But, if as in the case of urgent
repair of canal breaches, this method of payment is not practicable, it is permissible to
pay the contractor on the basis of the numbers of labourers employed, day by day, his
own profit or commission being either included in the rates allowed, or paid separately in
lump sum or at a percentage rate. When this course is adopted a report of the numbers of
labourers of each class employed day by day should be made daily by the official
incharge of the work to the Sub-divisional Officer to enable the latter to keep a check on
the expenditure and to deal with the contractor’s claim when received. To avoid disputes
with the contractors, they should be encouraged to sign the daily reports in token of their
acceptance as correct.

Note: The use of the muster roll or the measurement book (paragraph 10.2.7) is not
permissible in such cases.

(c ) Travelling Expenses

10.2.6 When it is necessary to bring labourers and artificers from a distance they may be
allowed wages for the number of days occupied in the journey to and from the site of the
work, if they join the work with proper despatch. At the discretion of the Divisional
Officer, bona fide traveling expenses may also be allowed to them. The above charge
must be borne by the estimate of the work.

II PAYMENTS TO SUPPLIERS AND CONTRACTORS

(a) Record of Measurement

(i) Measurement Books

10.2.7 Unless in any case, the Administrative Ministry/Administration concerned, after

consultation with the Chief Controller of Accounts, direct otherwise, payments for all
work done otherwise than by daily labour and for all supplies required for specific works
are made on the basis of measurements recorded in measurement books, Form CPWA
23 in accordance with the rules in paragraph 10.2.8. The measurement books should,
therefore be considered as very important account records, and should be so written that
the transactions are readily traceable in the Accounts of the Department. All the
measurement books belonging to a division should be numbered serially and a register of
them should be maintained in Form CPWA 92 in the divisional office showing the serial
number of each book, the names of the sub-divisions to which issued, the date of issue
and the date of its return, so that its eventual return to the divisional office may be
watched.

Note. A similar register should also be maintained in the Sub-divisional office showing
the names of the Sub-divisional Officer and Sectional Officers to whom measurement
books are issued. Books no in longer use should be withdrawn promptly even though not
completely written up.

(ii) Detailed Measurements

10.2.8 In recording detailed measurements, the following general instructions should be

carefully observed:-

(a) Subject to such subsidiary orders as may be laid down by the Administrative
Ministry/Administration concerned, detailed measurements should be recorded only by
Executive Engineer, Assistant Executive Engineer or Assistant Engineers, or by the
executive subordinates in charge of works to whom measurement books have been
supplied for the purpose.

(b) All items of work in a project, irrespective of their cost, shall be measured and
recorded by the Officer-in-charge of the work, not lower than the rank of J.E. It is,
however, open to the rank of Sub-Divisional Officer to record measurements for any
particular item of work himself.

(c ) The Officer accepting the tender for any work may stipulate and require the
Assistant Executive Engineer/Assistant Engineer to record measurements himself or
exercise 100% check on the measurements recorded by his subordinate for any item
including those, which owing to their situation, cannot subsequently be check-measured
or which have very high unit rates or which in the opinion of the officer, are important.

(d) All measurements should be recorded neatly and directly in a measurement book,
at the site of work, and no-where else.

(e) Each set of measurements should commence with entries stating:-

(i) In the case of bills for work done:-

(a) full name of work as given in estimate/agreement,

(b) situation of work, (c ) name of contractor,
(d) number and date of his agreement,
(e) date of written order to commence work,
 (f) date of actual completion of work,
(g) date of measurement and,
(h) reference to the previous measurement.

Note: As an exception, the recording of entries (e) and (f) is not required in the case of
work done under a piece-work agreement.

(ii) In the case of bills for supply of materials required for specific works:-
(a) name of supplier, (b) number and date of his agreement or order (c) purpose of
supply in either of the following forms applicable to the cases:-
(i) “Purchases” for direct issue to (here enter full name of work as given in estimate)
or (ii) “Purchases” for (here enter full name of work as given in estimate)….(d) date
of written order to commence supplies (e) date of actual completion of supplies and
(f) date of measurement, and should end with the dated initials of the person making
the measurements and with the acceptance of the measurements, by the contractor in
terms of relevant clauses of his contract agreement, see also paragraph 10.1.2. A
suitable abstract should then be prepared which should collect, in the case of
measurements for work done, the total quantities of each distinct item of work
relating to each sanctioned estimate.

Note – As an exception, the recording of entries (d) and (e) is not required in the case
of supplies made against a piece-work agreement.

(f) In the M.B.’s and bill forms for running accounts bills, the full nomenclature of
agreement items need not be reproduced but only the abbreviated nomenclature need
be used. The agreement item No. shall, however, be mentioned against the
abbreviated nomenclature. In the case of extra and substituted items of work for
which no abbreviation/nomenclature is provided in the agreement, the full
nomenclature of item shall be reproduced in the M.B.s and bill forms for running
account bills by the S.D.O or executive subordinate incharge of the work. A
certificate in the M.B. as under will also be recorded.

“Certified that for items where abbreviated nomenclature has been adopted, the work
has been executed according to full nomenclature of the corresponding item of
agreement.”

(g) As all payments for work or supplies required for specific works are based on the
quantities recorded in the measurement book, it is incumbent upon the person taking
the measurements to record the quantities clearly and accurately, and also to work out
and enter in the measurement book the figures for the “contents or area” column. If
the measurements are taken in connection with a running contract account on which,
work has been previously measured, he is further responsible (1) that reference to the
last set of measurements is recorded and (2) that if the entire job or contract has been
completed, date of completion is duly noted in the prescribed place, vide clause (c )
above. If the measurements taken are the first set of measurements, on a running
account or the first and final measurements this fact should be suitably noted against
the entries in the measurement book and in the latter case, the actual date of
completion noted in the prescribed place.

(h) The pages of the book should be machine numbered. Entries should be recorded
continuously, and no blank pages left or page torn out. Any pages left blank
inadvertently should be cancelled by diagonal lines, the cancellation being attested
and dated.

(i) The entries should be made in ink only. No entry may be erased. If a mistake is
made, it should be corrected by crossing out the incorrect words or figures and
inserting the corrections, the correction thus made being initialled and dated by the
responsible officer. When any measurements are cancelled, the cancellation must be
supported by the dated initialls of the officer ordering the cancellation or by a
reference to his orders initialed by the officer who made the measurements, the
reasons for cancellation being also recorded. A reliable recored is the object to be
aimed at, as it may have to be produced as evidence in a Court of Law.

(j) On completion of the abstract, the Measurement book should be submitted to the
Sub-divisional Officer who after carrying out the required test check should enter the
word “Check and Bill” with his dated initials. The Sub-divisional Clerk should then
check the calculation of quantities in the abstract and the bill, in case of work carried
out by contract, and should then place the Measurement Book and the bill before the
Sub-divisional Officer who after comparing the two, should sign the bill and the
Measurement Book at the end of the abstract.

(k) Any corrections to calculations or rates made in the Sub-divisional, as well as, in
Divisional Office should be made in red ink and brought to notice of the Sub-
Divisional Officer or the Divisional Officer, as the case may be, and of the person
recording the original measurements. In the case of final bill, payment should be
deferred until the corrections have been accepted by the person making the
measurements. All corrections made by the clerical staff should be in red ink.

(l) Each measurement book should be provided with an index which should be kept
up-to-date.

Test Checking of Detailed Measurements

10.2.9 The Sub-divisional Officer must satisfy himself [before passing a bill for
payment] before submitting it to the Divisional Officer for payment that the work or
supply billed for has actually been carried out/completed in accordance with the claim
preferred. He should personally inspect all works of any magnitude before
submitting claims of final payments in connection therewith.

In addition to the above, the Sub-divisional Officer is to check measurement of the

works in his charge as laid down in departmental manual.
(iii) Standard Measurements

10.2.10 If standard measurement books of buildings are maintained in order to

facilitate the preparation of estimates for periodical repairs they may be utilized for
the purpose of preparing contractors’ bills for such repairs, subject to such subsidiary
instructions as may have been laid down by the Administrative
Ministry/Administration concerned in consultation with the Chief Controller of
Accounts for the efficient maintenance of the books, so that it may not be necessary
to take detailed measurements on each occasion. Interalia the following precautions
are necessary:-

(i) The measurement books used as standard books should be numbered in an

alphabetical series, so that the numbers may be readily distinguished from those
assigned to the ordinary books wherein detailed measurements are recorded whenever
work is actually done.

(ii) The entries of measurements (and abstracts thereof) in the standard measurement
books should be recorded legibly in ink, and certified as correct by a responsible
officer.

The Standard Measurement Books should either be written by the S.D.O. himself
or the executive subordinate incharge under his orders. Each set of measurements
taken by the executive subordinate incharge should, however, be fully checked by
the S.D.O. after which it should be examined by the Divisional Officer and declared
in writing in the book itself as finally approved by him for the purposes of preparing
annual repair estimates and contractors’ bills for the work done. Until this is done,
the book will not be assigned a number and will not be entered in the Register of
Standard Measurement Books.

The Standard Measurement Books will be brought up-to-date under the

supervision of Sub-Divisional Officer with reference to the building or work
concerned within one month of closing of the accounts of the estimate therefor. All
such corrections will be attested by the S.D.O. These should be maintained very
carefully and accurately as they may have to be produced as evidence in a Court of
Law.

(iii)The Divisional Officer should periodically certifty that all the standard books of
the division have been inspected by him, that entries therein have not been tampered
with and that all corrections due to additions and alterations in the buildings have
been made in the books and the latter are reliable and upto date records.

(iv) When a payment is based on standard measurements, the gazetted officer or

subordinate preparing the bill for payment should be required to certify that the whole
of the work, (or work since previous running bill, as the case may be) as per standard
measurements has been done and that it has not previously been billed for in any
shape.
 (iv) Review of Measurements

10.2.11 The entries recorded in each completed measurement books may be

subjected to a percentage check by the Divisional Accountant under the supervision
of the Divisional Officer. Detailed rules on this subject may be laid down by the
Administrative Ministry/Administration concerned who will also prescribe the
procedure for a system of test check of recorded measurements by the superior
officers of the department.

(b) Bills and Vouchers

(i) Forms of Bills and Vouchers

10.2.12 The following are authorized forms of bills and vouchers :-

(a) First and final Bill, Form CPWA 24
(b) Running Account Bill Form CPWA 26
(c) Hand Receipt, Form CPWA 28

The use of the forms is explained in the following paragraphs and a few
explanatory foot-notes are printed on the Forms.

10.2.13 First and Final Bill, Form CPWA 24:- This Form should be used for
making payments both to contractors for work and to suppliers, when a single payment is
made for a job or contract, i.e., on its completion.

10.2.14 Running Account Bill, Form CPWA 26:- This Form is used for all
running payments to contractors and suppliers (other than those relating to lump sum
contracts for which Forms CPWA 27-A and 27-B are prescribed), including cases where
advance payments are proposed to be made or are already outstanding in respect of the
same work against the contractor. The final payment of running work shall also be made
in Form CPWA 26 printed on yellow pages. In cases, where secured advances are to be
made or are already outstanding in respect of the same work against the contractor,
Account of Secured Advances, Form CPWA 26-A should be attached to the bill.

10.2.15 Hand Receipt, Form CPWA 28:-This is a simple form of voucher

intended to be used for all miscellaneous payments and advances, for which the special
Forms CPWA 24 and 26 are not suitable. The claim for refund of lapsed deposit should,
however, be preferred in Form G.A.R.46

(ii) Preparation, Examination & Payment of Bills.

10.2.16 Before the bill of a contractor is prepared, the entries in the measurement
book relating to the description and quantities of work of supplies should be scrutinized
and check measured by the Sub-divisional Officer as contained in Para 10.2.9 and the
calculations of “Contents or area” should be checked arithmeticaly under his supervision.
The bill should then be prepared from the entries in the Measurement Book, in one of the
Forms prescribed in Paragraph 10.2.12, as may be applicable . The rates allowed should
be entered in the Abstract of measurements and in the bill. Full rates as per agreement
catalogue, indent or other order should be allowed only if the quality of work done or
supplies made is up to the stipulated specification. When the work or supplies fall short
of that, specification, standard, and under the agreement it is permissible to make a final
payment if the contract is to run on, only, such a fraction of the full rate to be determined
with regard to the work remaining to be done and the general terms of the agreement.

Note 1:-If the contract agreement does not specify the rates to be paid for the several
classes of work or supply, but merely states that the estimated rates or a certain
percentage below or above them, will be allowed, it should be seen that the standard rates
adopted are those of the sanctioned estimate which was in force at the time the agreement
was executed, or if the agreement was preceded by a tender, on the date the tender was
signed by the contractor. Subsequent sanctions to original or revised estimate have no
effect on the terms of such an agreement. If no sanctioned estimate is in existence at the
time of signing the agreement or the tender, as the case may be, the rates payable for each
item of work should be, specified, as any reference to an estimate not yet sanctioned is
meaningless and cannot be acted upon.

Note 2:- As a general rule, payment for supplies is not permissible until the stores
have been received and surveyed. If in any case, the Administrative
Ministry/Administration concerned has permitted payment on production of a Railway
Receipt, the payment will be treated as an advance against final settlement on receipt of
the stores. The advance payments against production of Railway Receipts or to make
advance payment to firms for supply of stores, should be debited to the Suspense
Account “Contractors-other Transactions/Advance Payments” in the Schedule Docket of
stock or Work concerned, which should be cleared by minus debit when the material is
actually received.

10.2.17 Before signing and submission of the bill to Divisional Officer for check
and payment, the Sub-divisional Officer should compare the quantities in the bill with
those recorded in the measurement book and see that all the rates are correctly entered
and that calculations have been checked arithmetically. When the bill is on a running
account, it should be compared with the previous bill. Memorandum of Payments should
then be made up, any recoveries which should be made on account of the work or supply
on other accounts being shown therein.

Note 1: Subject to such special orders as may be issued by Government in this behalf,
whenever fractions of a rupee occur in the totals of contractor’s bills, or in the case of
supplies or works chargeable to each estimate, fractions less than half a rupee may be
disregarded, and half a rupee and over taken as a rupee.

Note 2: If the contract is for the completed items of work and, under the provisions of
paragraph 10.3.2, the contractor is required to obtain materials of any description from
Government, it should be seen that this condition is being complied with and that
necessary recoveries of the cost of the materials, supplied to him, are being made in
accordance with the paragraph 10.3.7. In such a case it is not permissible for the
contractor to obtain the materials otherwise. Also refer note under 10.3.3(a)

Note 3: Before signing a first and final bill or the first bill on a running account the sub-
divisional officer should see that the relevant measurement entries were marked as
pertaining to such bills by the person taking the measurements, vide paragraph 10.2.8.

Note 4: Bills which include charges on account of purchase of goods on which Sales
Tax has also been charged should be supported by the following certificate signed by the
Divisional Officer.

“Certified that in the case of items relating to the purchases of goods on which Sales
Tax/Value Added Tax has been charged, the goods have not been exempted under the
Central/Sales Tax and value added tax Act or the rules made thereunder and that the
amounts paid on account of Sales Tax/Value Added Tax on these goods are correct under
the provisions of that Act or the rules made thereunder and that in the case of supplies
against regular contracts the relevant contract includes a specific provision to the effect
that Sales Tax/ Value Added tax payable by Government”.
With the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT), the same should be taken care of
in the said certificate.

Note 5: Under section 194-C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 introduced by Finance Act,
1972, deduction of Income Tax is required to be made at source by disbursing officers
from payments made to contractors in certain cases.
Note 6 : All Payments to contractors should henceforth be made through “e-
payment” for which contractor will furnish particulars of his Bank Account, name
of the Branch and Bank with complete address in the Tender documents which
should provide a column to this effect.

Before signing the first and final bill/the Running Account bill/or the final bill in the case
of Running Account Bill, the Sub-divisional Officer/Divisional Officer should see that:-
(i) the statutory deductions on account of Income Tax, wherever due, has been made
from the bills of the Contractors; and,
(ii) the same is specifically shown in the Memorandum of payments thereof under the
item. “By recovery of amounts creditable to other works or heads of account”.

10.2.18 From the measurement book all quantities should be clearly traceable into the
documents on which payments are made. When a bill is prepared for the work or
supplies measured, every page containing the detailed measurements must be invariably
scored out by a diagonal red ink line, and when the payment is made an endorsement
must be made in red ink, on the abstract of measurements, giving a reference to the
number and date of the voucher of payment.

Note 1: The document on which payment is made should invariably show, in the space
provided for the purpose, the number and page of the measurement book in which the
detailed measurements are recorded and the date on which the measurement was made
Note 2: The debits or claims on account of stores acquired for specific works are
verified as follows:-

In the indenting sub-division, the receipt of the materials should be recorded in

the Measurement Book after comparing the quantity with the indent received back from
the supplying Division and a certificate to that effect recorded on the indent.
Simultaneously the entry regarding the actual quantity of materials received will be made
in the Register of Indents against the quantity indented. This indent will then be valued
with reference to the priced Vocabulary of Stores and sent to the Divisional Office with
the Omnibus Transfer Entry Order. When the Omnibus Transfer Entry Order is prepared
and sent to Division, the corresponding entries in the Measurement Book should be
scored out, giving a reference to the Omnibus Transfer Entry Order. When the claim is
received in the indenting Division, the indent attached thereto should be verified
with reference to the indent received from the sub-division along with the Omnibus
Transfer Entry Order.

10.2.19(a) Payments for work done or supplies made on a running account should
ordinarily be made monthly, in terms of the relevant clauses of the Contract Agreement.
Both the “quantities” and “amount” of each distinct item of work or supply should be
shown separately in the bill except in the case of advance payments when quantities need
not be specified.

(b) Such payments should be treated as payments on account, subject to

adjustment in the final bill which should be drawn, in the appropriate Form (FORM
CPWA 27-B) but printed on yellow paper, when work or supply is completed or the
running account is to be closed for other reasons. When a final payment is made on a
running account, the payee, if he is able to write, should add in his own hand writing that
the payment is “in full and final settlement of all demands”. If the payee is illiterate, or is
unable to write beyond signing his name, these words should be filled in by the officer
making the payment.

Note 1: The addition of the words “in full and final settlement of all demands” does not
preclude the disbursing officer from entertaining a further, bonafide claim which may
have been omitted from the final bill Form CPWA 27-B by mistake or through
inadvertence. If, despite this explanation, the contractor objects to the addition of the
words in question, the payment should be rendered unconditionally, (vide Section 38 of
the Indian Contract Act, 1972).

Note 2: A Form printed on yellow paper is never to be used except for final
payments.

(c ) A separate running account is maintained in respect of each

contract.Transactions relating to two or more separate working estimates should not be
brought on to the same running account, they should, therefore, not be covered by a
single contract. Transaction relating to two a or more separate parts of the working
estimate for which separate Works Abstracts are prepared under paragraph 10.5.5 should
appear in separate running account.

Note – In exceptional cases where more than one working estimate is covered by a single
contract, the contract agreement need not be split up but the estimates should be
consolidated to facilitate the maintenance of proper accounts in respect of that contract.
If this procedure cannot be observed, some special accounts procedure will be devised on
the merits of each case by the Chief Controller of Accounts. No consolidation of
estimates or special accounts procedure is necessary where separate estimates covered by
the single contract relate to different accounts head or where separate estimates, whether
relating to different account heads or not are covered by a single running rate contract as
in the case of the painting of roads etc and where separate agreements are drawn on the
basis of such rate contracts with other details varied to suit the requirement of each job.

10.2.20 When secured advances are allowed by the Divisional Officer under
paragraph 10.2.22(a) to a contractor whose contract is for finished work, it should be seen
that an Indenture in Form CPWA 31 has been signed by the contractor, and a detailed
account of the advances must be kept in Form CPWA 26-A, the Account of Secured
Advances, which should be attached to the Running Account Bill. There should be
separate entries, in respect of each class of materials, of the quantities brought to site by
the contractor and the amounts advanced under the orders of the Divisional Officer.
These advances must be recovered by deduction from the contractor’s bills for work done
as the materials are used in construction and the items of work in which they are used are
billed for on the basis of actual measurements. Part I of the bill and Form CPWA 26-A
should be compared to see that this order is being complied with. As recoveries are
made, the outstanding amounts of the items concerned in Form CPWA 26-A should be
reduced by making deduction entries in the column, “Deduct-Quantity utilized in work
measured since previous bill”.equivalent to the quantities of the materials used by the
contractor on items of work shown as executed in Part I of the bill.

Note: No record should be kept in Measurement Books of the quantities of the

materials, but certificate printged on Form CPWA 26-A should be signed by the sub-
divisional or Divisional Officer in terms of paragraph 10.2.22(a).

(c ) Aid to Contractors

10.2.21 It is necessary sometimes, in the interest of work, to engage labourers or

contractors or to incur other liabilities on behalf of the contractor concerned, with a view
to complete the work which he has neglected or failed to complete. In such a case it is
permissible to spend Government funds on behalf of the contractor in accordance with
the terms of his agreement. Otherwise, no advance or recoverable payment should be
made to or on behalf of a contractor nor should financial aid be given to him in any form,
except in accordance with paragraphs 10.2.22 and 10.2.23.

Note 1: For rules relating to the issue of materials to contractors, see paragraph 10.3.2 and
10.3.3.
Note 2: With a view to avoid subsequent disputes with the contractor, suitable intimation
should be sent to him (1) as soon as action is taken under this paragraph and (2)
subsequently, as charges are incurred on his account.

(d) Advance to Contractors

10.2.22 Advances to contractors are as a rule prohibited, and every endeavour should be
made to maintain a system under which no payments are made except for work actually
done. Exceptions are, however, permitted in the following cases:-

(a) Cases in which a contractor, whose contract is for finished work, requires an
advance on the security of materials brought to site. Divisional Officers may, in such
cases, sanction advances upto an amount not exceeding 75 per cent of the value (as
assessed by the Engineer-in-charge or an amount not exceeding 75% of the material
element cost in the tendered rate of the finished item of work whichever is lower)
provided that they are of an imperishable nature and that a formal agreement is drawn up
with the contractor under which Government secures a lien on the materials and is
safeguarded against losses due to the contractor postponing the execution of the work or
to the shortage or misuse of the materials, and against the expense entailed for their
proper watch and safe custody. Payment of such advances should be made only on the
certificate of an officer not below the rank of Sub-Divisional Officer, that the quantities
of materials upon which the advances are made have actually been brought to site, that
the contractor has not previously received any advance on that security and that all the
materials are required by the contractor for use on items of work for which rate for
finished work have been agreed upon. The officer granting such a certificate will be held
personally responsible for any over-payment which may occur in consequence.
Recoveries of advances so made should not be postponed until the whole of the work
entrusted to the contractor is completed. They should be made from his bills for work
done as the materials are used, the necessary deductions being made whenever the item
of work in which they are used are billed for.

(b) In all other cases, only with the sanction of Government which may, in
exceptional circumstances and in respect of certain specialized and capital intensive
works costing not less than Rupees two crore authorize such advances not more than
10% of the tendered value as may be deemed indispensable, taking the necessary
precautions for securing Government interest against loss and for preventing the system
from becoming general or continuing longer than is absolutely essential. Such advances
termed as Mobilisation advance shall bear simple interest at the rate of 10% per
annum to be calculated from the date of payment to the date of recovery (both days
inclusive) on the outstanding amount of advance. See clause 10B (ii) & (iv) of
General Conditions of Contract for CPWD. Mobilisation advance should be
classified to the respective work. Recovery of interest shall be classified under the
Major/Sub-Major/Minor Heads of Accounts “0049-Interest Receipt-03-Other
Interest Receipt of Central Govt.-800-Other Receipts”
Note : The Divisional Officer has full powers to make advance payments to electric
supply undertakings under the Indian Electricity Act, 1910 for execution of works.

10.2.23 An advance payment [referred to in para 2.1.1(3)] for work actually

executed may be made with the previous sanction of the S.E. concerned such sanction
should invariably be obtained and on the certificate of a responsible officer (not below
the rank of Sub-divisional Officer) to the effect that not less than quantity of work paid
for has actually been done, and the officer granting such certificate will be held
personally responsible for any over payment which may occur on the work in
consequence. Final payments may, however, in no case be made without detailed
measurements.

Note: In the case of Civil Works pertaining to buildings, advance payments should be
made at predetermined levels, which may be indicated in the sanctioned estimates.
Normally, measurements of such items of works for which advance payments have been
allowed, may be taken in alternate months, but if it is administratively necessary,
payments may be made both for measured work as well as advance payments in the same
month. Detailed instructions on the subject may be laid down by Administrative
Ministry/Administration concerned in consultation with the Chief Controller of
Accounts.

When an advance payment has been authorized by the competent authority, it

should be followed by detailed measurement within two months at the most with a view
to the advance being adjusted within three months from the date on which it was made,
subject to the extension of this period by Director General (Works)/Chief Engineer, in
exceptional case, for reasons to be recorded in writing:-

(i) to four months in respect of advances upto Rs.50,000

(ii) to six months in respect of advances exceeding Rs.50,000 but not exceeding
Rs. One lakh.

Any extension of the period of adjustment beyond the above limits and beyond three
months in the case of an advance exceeding Rs.One lakh will require the previous
sanction of the Government of India.

The grant of a second advance before the first one has been recovered should not be
permitted except in very exceptional circumstances. Where such circumstances exist and
it becomes necessary to grant more than one advance in succession, the limits imposed
above should be held to refer to the aggregate of the advances outstanding against a
particular work at any time and sanctioned to the extension of the period of their
adjustment should be regulated accordingly.

Divisional Officers should submit a monthly statement, in the prescribed form for the
information of the Superintending Engineer concerned giving details of advances made to
contractors for work done but not measured so that clearance may be watched.
IV. Payment to Work-Charged Establishment

(a) Conditions of Employment`

10.2.24 Rules for the entertainment of work-charged establishment are laid down
in paragraphs 10 to 11 of the Central Public Works Department Code. Subject to
such general or special orders as may be issued by Government, previous sanction of
the Divisional Officer or the Superintending Engineer, as the case may be, is
necessary which should specify in respect of each appointment (1) the scale of pay (2)
the period of sanction and (3) the full name (as given in the estimate) of the work and
the nature of the duties on which the man engaged would be employed.

10.2.25 Rules for the grant of leave, gratuity, pension, travelling and other
allowances etc., to members of work-charged establishment are contained in the
manuals of the department concerned. The leave salaries, travelling and other
allowances of members of the temporary establishment whose pay is charged to
works under paragraph 10 of Central Public Works Department Code are regulated by
the rules applicable to temporary establishments. The Pay and Allowances of work
charged Establishment borne on regular establishment will be charged under
the functional Budgeted Salary Head of Account.

(b) Pay Bills

10.2.26 Wages of members of the work-charged establishment should be drawn and

paid on Form CPWA 29, “Pay Bill of Work-Charged Establishment” which is
combined pay bill and acquittance roll form. A consolidated bill in this Form should
be prepared monthly either for the whole sub-division or for one or more sections of
it, as may be convenient, but the names and claims of the entire establishment
concerned including absentees, should be shown in each bill. Names should be
grouped in the bill by works on which the are employed, sanction to the
entertainment of the establishment should be quoted in each case, and the Sub-
Divisional Officer should certify in the space provided for the purpose, that the men
were on duty during the periods shown against their names, each man being
employed on the work and on the duties for which his appointment was sanctioned.

Note: If the acknowledgement of an individual cannot conveniently be obtained

on the bill itself, it may be obtained separately on a Hand Receipt, Form CPWA 28,
which should then be attached to the bill as a sub voucher.

10.2.27 Pay bills may be signed at any time not earlier than five (5) days before
the last working day of the calendar month for which such pay and allowances are
earned and shall be due for payment on the last working day of that month. When,
however, the services of an individual are dispensed with, it is permissible to settle
his account at once.
 In the case of work-charged staff attached to Sub-Divisions located away from the
Head quarters of the Divisional Office, monthly pay bills may be signed not earlier
than the 15th of the month to which the pay and allowances relate. The same will be
prechecked by the Divisional Accountant and passed by the Divisional Officer of the
Division concerned well in time so as to arrange payment on the last working day of
that month.

Adjustments, if any, between the pay and allowances actually admissible for each
month and those already drawn should be positively made at the time of actual
disbursement or in the next month.

(c) Unpaid Wages

10.2.28 Wages remaining unpaid on a passed bill, on the date fixed for the closing
of the accounts of the month, may be paid subsequently when claimed, the procedure
described below being observed:-

(a) Items remaining unpaid on the monthly bill should be entered in a simple register,
full particulars of the charge, including reference to the bill, being noted in the
Register. Form CPWA 21-A suitably modified, if necessary, may be used for this
purpose.

(b) Subsequent payments should be made on Hand Receipts, Form CPWA 28,
reference to the bill in which the charge was originally included, and to the
particular item thereof, being quoted in each case.

(c) When making payments of arrears suitable notes of payment should be so

recorded against the original entries in the Register, as to guard against second
payment.

(d) Travelling Expenses

10.2.29 No bills need be prepared in support of claims for traveling expenses.

Payments should be made on Hand Receipts, Form CPWA 28 which should set forth
all the necessary particulars of the journey performed and of the expenses claimed
and should be countersigned by the Divisional Officer prior to payment.

Note: In respect of those members of the work-charged establishment whose

traveling allowance is determined with reference to the provisions in Supplementary
Rules, TA Bills in Form GAR 14A should be prepared.

(e) Classification of Charges

10.2.30 Every payment made to a member of the work-charged establishment

whether on accout of his wages or in recoupment of actual traveling expenses
should be debited to the work on which he is employed. However in respect of
Work Charged Establishment borne on regular establishment, such charges
shall be debited to the functional Budgeted salary Head of Account.

10.3 ISSUE OF MATERIALS

I. General

10.3.1 Issues of materials to works, whether from stock or by purchase transfer or

manufacture are divided into two classes:-

(1) Issue to Contractors:- Issues of materials to contractors with whom

agreements in respect of completed items of works i.e., for both labour and materials
have been entered into.

(2) Issue Direct to Works:- Issue of materials when work is done

departmentally or by contractors whose agreements are for labour only.

II. TO CONTRACTORS

(a) General Conditions

10.3.2(a) The issue of material to contractors who have contracted for completed
items of work, is generally permissible only in the following circumstances:-

(i) When, under the operation of paragraph 95(d)6 of the Central Public Works
Department Code it is necessary to retain in the hands of Government the supply of
imported materials.
(ii) When, in the interest of work, or with the object of utilizing existing stocks of
materials, it is desirable to retain in the hands of Government the supply of certain
other materials as well, and a condition to this effect has been inserted in the contract.

(iii) When, in the interest of work, or with the object of utilizing existing stocks of
materials, it is desirable to retain in the hands of Government the supply of certain
other materials as well, and a condition to this effect has been inserted in the contract.

(b) In both cases the contract should specify

(1) the materials to be supplied by Government for use of the work (2) the place or
places of delivery and (3) the rates to be charged to the contractor for each description
of material; and the contractor should be held responsible for obtaining from
Government all such materials required for the work and for making payment
therefore, by deduction from his bills at the rates specified regardless of fluctuation in
the market rates or in the stock rates of the division.

Note 1: The rates to be charged to the contractor for materials to be supplied

should be definitely specified (vague quotations, e.g., “at stock rates” being avoided);
and if intending contractors had been told that the materials would be supplied at a
certain rate and asked to tender on that assumption, then that rate should be adhered
to in the contract.

Note 2 – Similarly, the rates to be allowed to the contractor for item of work should
be definitely stated. But, if for any specific reasons, the contract provides for the
payments for work done to be made at a specified percentage below or above the
rates entered in the sanctioned estimate of work (or the Schedule of Rates), it should
be stated in clear terms in the contract that the deductions or additions, as the case
may be, of the percentage, will be calculated on the gross (and not the net), amounts
of the bills for work done, and in fixing the percentage it should be borne in mind that
the calculations will be so made.

(c) No carriage or incidental charges are borne by Government for moving the
materials beyond the place where the contractor has agreed to take delivery thereof.

10.3.3(a) If at any time subsequent to the execution of a contract on a through rate

basis, the contractor desires the issue to him, for use on a work of materials which
exist in Government stock, but the supply whereof by Government was not provided
for in the contract, the material should not be issued except with the express authority
of the Superintending Engineer who should specify in each case the rate to be charged
for the materials inclusive of delivery at the place where they are stored. When
submitting such a case to the Superintending Engineer the Divisional Officer should
elucidate the circumstances which gave rise to this contingency and should also add
his recommendations in respect of the recovery rates for such materials. The rate
charged for the materials should be as provided in the analysis of rate for the item of
work on which it would be used plus or minus the percentage above or below the
Schedule rate allowed to the Contractor or market rate or stock issue rate plus storage
charges whichever is higher. No carriage or incidental charges should be borne by
Government in connection with the supply.

In case of non-scheduled rate item, while working out the Analysis of Rate, it
shall be ensured that where any of the constitutents of the Analysis of Rate are borne
on the DGS&D. Rate contract, that the rate should be adopted for working out the
Analysis of Rate or alternatively the current market rate at that specific period should
be ascertained and adopted.

Where the finished item in which the materials to be used is available in the
agreement, while adopting the three rate formula, the rate as per analysis should be
taken as basic rate adopted in the analysis of rate plus 10% contractor’s profit
multiplied by the percentage, the rate quoted for that particular item bears to the
estimated rate of the item. In case the same material is to be used in more than one
finished item this percentage should be worked out on an average basis taking into
account the tender rates and estimated rates for these items.
 Where the finished item in which the material is to be used is not available in the
agreement or where it’s rate is delivered according to clause 12-A of the agreement,
the element of rate for the material taken in the analysis of rate of the item should be
considered while applying the three rate formula.
The recovery rate to be fixed under Analysed Rate of the three rate formula for
non-stipulated items should be the rate taken in the analysis of items plus 7.1/2%
(Profits only) plus percentage enhancement of the particular item. This is subject to
the provision that if the same material is used for more than one contract item, rate of
recovery for the given material would be based on weighted average.
Note (a)_ The intention of this rule is to prohibit the supply of materials to
contractors with the object of giving them financial aid, the grant of which is
governed by the rules in paragraphs 10.2.21 et.seq.

(b) If in any case the materials, the supply of which is stipulated in the contract do not
become available in time for supply to the contractor, then the supply must be
arranged by the Divisional Officers by purchasing the materials from other sources
and then supplied to the contractor at the stipulated rates as required under Note 1
below para 10.3.2(b) read with Note 2 under 10.2.17 of the Code ibid.

(c) Issue of Stock materials to contractors for bonafide use on works are exempt from
the usual charge of 10 per cent on account of supervision and contingencies, which is
made when stock materials are sold to the Public (Paragraph 150 of the Central Public
Works Department Code)

(d) Scarce materials like Cement and Steel are mostly stipulated, in all the contracts,
for issue for the exclusive use and consumption on the work for which they are
issued. In order to avoid pilferage and misuse of such stores if issued in bulk, the
issue should be regulated and restricted to the actual requirement. See Para 10.3.4
also.

It is also incumbent on the part of the Divisional officer to check the comparison
of the consumption of scarce materials like steel and cement with the theoretical
calculations at various intermediate stages to avoid pilferage and misuse, in
accordance with the relevant clauses of the agreement. Each diameter of steel bar
issued should be treated as an individual item while comparing the actual
consumption with theoretical calculation.

(b) Accounting Procedure

10.3.4 All materials required for issue to a contractor, under any of the provisions
of paragraphs 10.3.2 and 10.3.3 should be made over to him on a regulated scale and
restricted to actual, immediate requirement whether from stock or by purchase,
manufacture or transfer, and an unstamped but dated acknowledgement, detailing
full particulars of the materials including the rates and values chargeable to him,
should at once be taken from the contractor. The issue of materials should
 simultaneously be entered in the Account of Materials issued to contractors, Form
CPWA 35-A. See paragraph 10.3.8 and also 10.3.3.(c)

10.3.5 When the materials are obtained by purchases, full details of the articles
received should at once be entered in a Measurement Book, Form CPWA 23, in the
manner prescribed in Paragraph 10.2.8(e). See also paragraph 7.2.4 and 7.2.5.

10.3.6 On the authority of the contractor’s acknowledgement, the cost

recoverable from him under paragraph 10.3.2 or 10.3.3 as the case may be, should be
debited at once to his personal account by charge to the suspense head “Contractors –
Other Transactions” in the account of the work concerned.

This adjustment should be affected by affording credit to the head concerned, as

indicated below
Source or receipt of Head of Account to be Value to be credited
material credited
1 2 3
1. Stock (including Stock At Issue rates
manufacture)
2. Transfer from another
work
(i) When issued direct to Work concerned At a valuation made under
work. para 10.3.13 (c )
(ii) When issued to Contractors other Issue rates as per
contractor Transactions of the work Agreement of the work
concerned concerned
3. (a)Transfer from one Transfer would be on the At rates charged by the
Division to another basis of Sub-head “Stores concerned Supplying
Division Advance” under the Division
Budgeted Minor Head
“799 – Suspense” below
the functional Major/Sub-
Major Heads of Account
or under Sub-head “Work
Advance” under Work
concerned
4. Supplier Major Head “8658 – At rates payable to
Suspense Accounts Minor Suppliers under their
Head” 129 – Material contracts
Purchase Settlement
Account Suspense” if the
Payment has not been made
in the same month in which
the stores have been
5. Obtained from abroad -do- The cost determined vide
Rule in Appendix 6
6. Indian Charges(5) Head concerned Actual charges incurred
vide Rule 4 and 5 in
Appendix 6

If the amount thus credited differs from the charge made to the contractor’s account,
the excess of the former over the latter should be treated as additional final outlay
(plus or minus, as the case may be) on the work.

10.3.7 The recovery from a contractor on account of the cost of material issued to
him for use on a work should ordinarily be made by deduction from the first bill
authorizing an advance payment or an on account payment to him for the work.
Should, however, a lumpsum recovery be undesirable in any case, the Divisional
Officer may permit, the recovery to be effected gradually as the materials issued to
the contractor are actually used in construction and the items of work in which they
are used are paid for whether by an advance payment or by an on account payment.

10.3.8 As the issue of materials to contractors under the foregoing rules is

permissible solely for the bonafide requirements of Government works, Sub-
divisional Officers should maintain a numerical account in Form CPWA 35-A
Account of Material issued to contractor, so as to ensure that the aggregate of the
quantities of any or all materials issued to a contractor, from time to time, for use on a
work remains within the estimated requirements of his contract, vide paragraph
10.3.4. The precaution is particularly necessary when the rates at which any materials
are issued under paragraph 10.3.2 are lower than the prevailing market rates or the
latter are expected to rise appreciably.

(c ) Return of Surplus Materials

10.3.9 Stores supplied by Government – If the specification or schedule of items

provides for the use of any special description of materials to be supplied from
Engineer-in-charge’s stores, or if it is required that the contractor shall use certain
stores to be provided by the Engineer-in-charge as shown in the schedule of materials
annexed to the Contract Agreement, the contractor shall be bound to procure and shall
be supplied such materials and stores as are from time to time required to be used by
him for the purpose of the contract only, and the value of the full quantity of the
materials and stores so supplied at the rates specified in the said schedule of materials
may be set of or deducted from any sums then due, or thereafter to become due to the
contractor under the contract, or otherwise or against or from the security deposit or
the proceeds of sale thereof if the same is held in Government securities, the same or
sufficient portion thereof being in this case sold for the purpose. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in any of the clause of the contract and or in this
Code all stores/materials so supplied to the contractor or procured with the assistance
of the Government shall remain the absolute property of Government and the
contractor shall be trustee of the stores/materials so supplied procured and the said
stores/materials shall not be removed/disposed of from the site of the work on any
account and shall be, at all times, open to inspection by the Engineer-in-charge. Any
such Stores/materials remaining unused shall be returned to Engineer-in-charge at a
place directed by him if by a notice decided not to take back the stores/materials the
contractor shall have no claim for compensation on any account of such
stores/material so supplied to him as aforesaid and not used by him or for any
wastage in or damage to in such store/materials.

On being required to return the stores/materials, the contractor shall hand over the
stores/materials on being paid or credited such price as the Engineer-in-charge shall
determine, having due regard to the condition of the stores/materials. The price
allowed to the contractors, however, shall not exceed the amount charged to him,
excluding the storage charges, if any, less deduction on account of any deterioration
or damage of material while in custody of the contractor to be decided by the
Engineer-in-charge whose decision will be final and conclusive. In the event of
breach of the aforesaid condition, the contractor shall, in addition to throwing himself
open to account for contravention of the terms of licences or permit and/or for
criminal breach of trust, be liable to Government for all advantages or profits
resulting or which in the usual course would have resulted to him by reasons of such
breach. Provided that the contractor shall in no case be entitled to any compensation
or damages on account of any delay in supply or non-supply thereof at all or any
such materials and stores. Provided further that the contractor shall be bound to
execute the entire work if the materials are supplied by the Government within the
schedule time for completion of the work plus 50 per cent thereof (Scheduled time
plus 6 months if the time of completion of the work exceeds 12 months) but if a part
only of the materials has been supplied within the aforesaid period then the contractor
shall be bound to do so much of the work as may be possible with the material and
stores supplied in the aforesaid period.

“For the completion of the rest of the work, the contractor shall be entitled to such
extension of time as may be determined by the Engineer-in-charge whose decision in
this regard shall be final.”

Surplus materials which were originally procured by the contractors for themselves
can also be taken over by the Government, if required for use on other work in
progress, only on special arrangements and at the prevailing market rates (i.e., rates at
which the article or articles of similar description can be procured at a given time at
the stores godown, from the public market suitable to Division for obtaining a supply
thereof.)

(d) Tools and Plant lent for use

10.3.10 The rules in paragraph 10.3.2 to 10.3.9 do not apply to tools and plant.
Articles borne on the Tools and Plant account of the division may, in accordance with
any local rules on the subject, be lent temporarily to contractor for use on
Government works being executed or maintained by them. The hire charges of such
Tools and Plants count from the date these are taken out from Departmental
 workshop or specific place till the date of their return. See also paragraphs 7.3.3 and
7.3.7.

“III DIRECT TO WORKS”

A. Original Works

(a) Detailed accounts of materials issued

10.3.11 (a) In all cases, materials issued direct to a work should, as soon as
received, be brought to account as indicated below:-

Source of receipt of Head of Account to Value to be creditedMode of effecting

materials be credited adjustment of cost.
1 2 3 4
1. Stock (including Stock At issue rate Through stock
manufacture) accounts at the end
of the month
2. Transfer from At a valuation made By a special transfer
another work under para entry in Form 53
i) When issued Work concerned 10.3.13(c) prepared as soon as
direct to work the materials are
ii) When issued to Contractors-other Issued rate as per received
contractor transactions of the Agreement of the
work concerned concerned work.

3(a) Transfer from Transfer would be At rates charged -do-

one Division to on the basis of by the concerned
another Division Sub-head “Stores Supplying Division
Advance” under
the Budgeted
Minor Head “799 –
Suspense” below
the functional
Major/Sub-Major
Heads of Account
“under Sub-head
Work Advance
under Work
concerned”
4. Supplier Major Head “8658 – At rates payable to As against No.2
Suspense Accounts” the supplier under above
Minor Head”129 – their contracts
Material Purchase
Settlement Suspense
 Accounts” in case
the Payment has not
been made in the
month of the receipt
of Stores
5. Obtained from -do- The cost determined -do-
Abroad vide Rule 1 in
Appendix 6
6. Indian charges Head concerned Actual charges Through Cash
incurred vide Rules Account or Transfer
4 and 5 in Appendix Entry as the case
6 may be

The full value credited to head concerned should be debited to the work (paragraph
10.3.12) and the quantities entered in the Register of Materials-at-site Account Form
CPWA 35.

(b) In the case of materials received direct from suppliers, full details of the articles
received should at the same time be entered in a measurement book, Form CPWA 23,
with the full name of the work as entered in the estimate, vide paragraph 10.2.8(e).

10.3.12 (a) when materials are issued direct to a work either for work to be done
departmentally or through contractor on labour rates, their cost is “debited to the
Suspense head “Materials” in the account of work.

(b) A detailed account of item of materials showing the receipts, issues and
balances, should be kept in Form CPWA 35, so that the total issues of each items
may be watched with reference to the estimated requirements.

(b) Disposal of Surplus Material

10.3.13(a) Materials issued to works in excess of requirements may be transferred to

stock, provided that they are serviceable and certain to be required.

(b) All surplus materials at site of works, which have been completed or stopped or
on which outlay has been prohibited for any considerable length of time, should be
transferred to other works in progress or brought on to the stock Account, Form
CPWA 73 their value being credited to the work to which they were originally issued
and debited to the work to which they are transferred or to the stock Account, Form
CPWA 73, as the case may be.

(c ) Materials returned to stores or transferred to other works should be priced within

current market rates, any resultant loss being borne by the work to which they were
originally issued, and the disposal of materials being shown in the materials-at-site
account also.

(d) The loss by the disposal of surplus materials at less than the book value should
be debited to the work for which the stores were originally purchased.

Note – These rules do not apply to surplus materials which were originally procured
by contractors for themselves or were issued to them and charged off to their accounts
under paragraph 10.3.4. See also Paragraph 10.3.9.

(c ) Verification of unused Balances

10.3.14 Unused balances of materials charged direct to works should be verified at

least once a year in the manner prescribed in paragraph 154 of the central Public
Works Department Code. Whenever this verification is made, a report of verification
of the materials should be prepared by the Sub-divisional officer in such form as may
be prescribed by the Administrative Ministry/Administration concerned in
consultation with the Chief Controller of Accounts and submitted to the Divisional
Office.

Note – The rules in paragraphs 7.2.34 and 7.2.35 regarding verification of stock apply
mutatis mutandis to verification of materials at site of works with the exception that
the value of materials found in excess and recoveries of shortages/losses, if any,
should be credited to the appropriate sub-head(s) of the work.

10.3.15 A similar verification of the unused balances of materials must invariably be

made on the completion of a work, but on or before the completion of a work, when
no more materials are required for use in construction, steps should first be taken to
dispose of all surplus materials by transfer or sale, so that (1) the accounts of the work
may promptly receive such credits as may be admissible under paragraph 10.3.13. (2)
the balance at debit of the suspense head “Materials” may, as far as possible,
represent the net cost of the materials actually used in construction and (3) the surplus
balances awaiting clearance may be reduced to a minimum (vide note below
paragraph 10.3.14).
10.3.16 If the gazetted officer or subordinate in direct charge of a work, the accounts
of which are kept by sub-heads, is transferred before the accounts of it are closed the
unused materials at site of the work should be verified by the relieving officer, in
company with the relieved officer, and the report prescribed in paragraph 10.3.14
should be prepared by the Sub-divisional officer and submitted to the Divisional
Office.

10.3.17 The physical verification of unused materials under each item with the
balance shown in Form CPWA 35 should be made annually in respect of all works,
the accounts of which were opened on the last day of the financial year, but it is not
necessary that the balance should be verified at the close of the year, if:-
(i) the work has been under construction for not more than three months
(ii) the accounts of the works are expected to be closed within three months or
(iii) the balances were verified at any time during the year.

10.3.18 After the completion of a work, materials issued by the Department,

theorectical calculations of all the items of materials used on the work should be
made in the Register showing the clearance of Suspense head “Materials”, Form
CPWA 38, and compared with the quantities issued as per Form CPWA 35. On the
basis of theoretical calculations, the sub-head “Materials” should be cleared by
debiting the cost of materials to the work at the standard issue rates or the market
rates (in the case of items not borne on the stock of the Department) prevailing at the
time of completion of the work; any plus or minus balance will be borne by the work.

B. Repair Works

10.3.19 For minor repair works done departmentally, a materials-at-site account,

Form CPWA 35 should not ordinarily be kept, as control on the issue of materials
can conveniently be exercised in such cases. But, if there is an accumulation of
materials for a number of works, an account may be maintained as laid down in
10.3.12(b).

10.4 ADJUSTMENTS

10.4.1 In addition to cash payments and issues of materials, there are other
transactions relating to the accounts of works, which are of the nature of adjustments
usually recorded in the Transfer Entry Book in the Form C.A.M-34 of the Divisional
Office. The detailed rules governing such transactions are given in Chapter 8.

10.5 WORKS ABSTRACT

I. Introductory

10.5.1 An account of all the transactions relating to a work during a month

whether in respect of cash, stock or other charges, should be prepared by the
Divisional Officer in respect of estimates in Work Abstract Form CPWA 33
exhibiting the accounts broadly under categories 1) Final Charges, 2) Suspense
Charges and 3) Contingencies. The head “Final Charges” will also include and
exhibit separately charges for materials issued to Contractors/Direct to work. The
category “Suspense Accounts” will contain the following “Suspense Transactions”.

1. Contractors (i) Advance Payments

(ii) Secured Advance
(iii) Other Transactions

2. Labourers
 3. Materials

4. Land Acquisition
The estimate, account and completion certificate of petty works i.e., works
costing not more than Rs.5000/- each, should be prepared on a single form, Petty
Works Requisition and Account, Form CPWA 32, and separate Works are not
necessary.

Note: percentage charges on account of establishment, Tool and Plant, Accounts and
Audit and Pensionary Charges levied on works Expenditure, under Rule 4, should not be
shown in Works Abstract and Register of Works, Form CPWA 40, though they are
eventually included in the cost of works vide Note 2 below Paragraph 22.4.6.

10.5.2 Ordinarily there should be one Works Abstract monthly for each working
estimate, but if the estimate is for a large work which is divided into several sub-
works, it will usually be found convenient to prepare a Works Abstract separately for
each sub-work.

II. CLASSIFICATION AND RECORD OF FINAL CHARGES

(a) Estimates

10.5.3 The Division of an Estimate into sub-heads for the purpose of accounts is
guided usually by the classification sanctioned in the abstract of the estimate. If it is
intended to purchase or supply materials and to employ labour for construction
separately (whether by contract or by departmental agency), the abstract of the
estimate should be so framed as to show separately for each distinct item of artificer’s
work (1) the cost and quantity of “labour” and (2) the cost of materials. But if this is
not the case, e.g., when any item of work is to be executed by contract and it is
proposed to contract for the completed items of work, the abstract of the estimate may
show merely the quantity and cost of each item of work. In all cases miscellaneous
charges of a general nature which do not pertain to any sub-head in particular, may be
treated as separate sub-heads, being grouped under one or more heads, e.g., “Work-
charged Establishment”, “Contingencies”, etc. See paragraphs 11 and 88 of the
Central Public Works Departmental Code.

Note – When a number of sub-heads of an estimate is large, it will be found

convenient to assign a number to each sub-head and to prefix this number to the name
of the sub-head wherever it is used on vouchers, works abstracts, registers of works or
other accounts.

10.5.4 After an Estimate has been sanctioned, it may be decided to make a

change in the method originally contemplated for the execution of the work. In such
a case the original abstract should be recast in accordance with the instructions laid
down in paragraph 10.5.3. The details of cost and quantities already approved by
competent authority should be rearranged and the revised abstract should be approved
by the Divisional Officer and thereafter treated as the sanctioned abstract of the
estimate for all accounts purposes.

10.5.5 If the number of sub-heads in the working estimate for a work or sub-work
is large, it is permissible to break up the estimate into two or more parts, and to treat
each part as sub-work for the purposes of accounts; but no part of an estimate can be
separated from the rest, if any contract for the execution of work connected with it
covers also work connected with the other parts. It is advisable to adopt this course if
one or more parts of a work in advance of the others and no useful purpose will be
served by keeping open the accounts of the completed parts.

10.5.6 (a) The account of the work in the Works Abstract should ordinarily
exhibit:-
i) “amount” i.e., total charges finally classified under the relevant categories, and
ii) percentage of the progress of work compared with the amount technically
sanctioned and time allowed.
iii) “rate of cost”, i.e., cost per unit on the basis of the recorded “amount” and
“progress”.

10.5.7 When provision is made in the abstract of estimate separately for “labour”
and “materials” and it is decided to execute the work either departmentally or through
a contract for labour only, the account of the cost of all materials issued to the work
from stock, or by purchase, manufacture or transfer, should be kept under a single
head entitled “Materials”, the sanctioned amount of which should be taken to be
equivalent to the aggregate provision for “Materials” in the estimate. This should be
treated as a suspense head and the details of it recorded in Form CPWA35 (vide
paragraph 10.3.12) which should accompany the Works Abstract. The “labour”
divisions only will thus appear in the Works Abstract as separate sub-heads of final
outlay. During the progress of the work, the expenditure recorded will be exclusive
of the cost of materials but on the completion of the work, the gross cost of
sanctioned work, inclusive of the cost of materials, should be placed on record by
making entries in the Register of Works, in the manner indicated in paragraph
10.3.18.

Note – In order to ensure proper maintenance of Form CPWA 35, two alternate
registers may be maintained, one being submitted in Original to the Divisional
Officer alongwith the Works Abstract for payment and the other used in the next
month.

10.5.8 When the sub-heads of a work are divided into “labour” and “materials”,
the “rate of cost” of the labour charges relating to each sub-head can be watched
separately and the necessary control over the expenditure on materials can be
exercised through the suspense head “Materials” and the detailed statement in Form
CPWA 35 supporting the entries under that head. It is unnecessary, therefore, for
purposes of financial control over the outlay, either to record in the Works Abstract,
month by month during the progress of construction, the outlay on the materials
relating to sanctioned estimate or, to strike the inclusive “rate of cost” of the whole
sub-head monthly.

10.5.9 The charges classified under a final sub-head should include all ordinary
expenses incidental to construction. If any part of a work is pulled down and rebuilt
to any serious extent, the extra charge for construction should ordinarily be debited to
the sub-head concerned under under the terms of his agreement. But if the amount
involved be so large as to affect sensibly the cost or rate of the sub-head, it may be
debited to the sub-head “Contingencies” instead or, with the sanction of the
competent authority, to a new sub-head additional to the original sanctioned sub-
heads of the estimate.

10.5.10 In the accounts of Major Estimates, under final charges entitled

“Additional charges for Materials issued to Contractors/Direct to Works” should be
opened for the record of under-mentioned debits/credits.

i) Difference between the rates charged to the contractors under paragraph 10.3.2 or
10.3.3 as the case may be, and the actual cost to Government, vide paragraph 10.3.6.

ii) Carriage and incidental charges in connection with the materials issued to
contractors, if under paragraph 10.8.1 are chargeable to the work.

iii) Balances outstanding under the suspense head “Materials” after transferring the
cost of material to the final heads vide paragraph 10.3.18.

10.5.11 If any receipts or recoveries are credited under the rules to the account of a
Major Estimate, a special sub-head should be opened in the Works Abstract for the
reception of all such credit.

III. SUSPENSE ACCOUNTS

(a) General

10.5.12 In addition to the head “Final Charges”, a few suspense accounts are
opened in works Abstracts to record transactions of a temporary character which are
either not adjustable as final outlay in the accounts of the works concerned or the
correct classification of which cannot be determined immediately. These accounts
are:-
(1) “Materials – for the record of the cost of materials issued direct to work, either
executed departmentally or through a Contract for labour only.
(2) “Contractors – Advance Payments” – for the record of advance payments and of
their recoveries
(3) “Contractors – Secured Advances” – for the record of secured advances and of
their recoveries
(4) “Contractors – Other Transactions” – for the record of all other debits or credits
to contractors awaiting settlement.
(5) “Labourers” – for the record of unpaid wages of labourers and of their
subsequent payment, not that of “Work-Charged Estimated”, and
(6) “Land Acquisition” – for the record of Advance payments to the Land
Acquisition Officers and of their subsequent adjustments.

(b) Materials Accounts

10.5.13 The Suspense account “Materials” has already been referred to in

paragraph 10.5.7. This account should be opened in the Works Abstract of Estimates
if materials are issued direct to works.

So far as Works Abstract is concerned, this account is never cleared and should be
regarded as a temporary sub-head for the reception of all charges on account of direct
issues of materials. The responsibility for clearing the head by transferring the
charges to the final charges of work when closing the account of the work in the
Register of Works, Form CPWA 40 rests with the Divisional Office vide paragraph
10..6.6.

(c ) Contractors and Labourers Account

10.5.14 Advance payments made to a contractor under the provisions of paragraph

10.2.25 should not be charged of as final outlay on the work. A suspense head,
“Contractors – Advance Payments” should be opened in the Works Abstract for the
record of advance payments and their subsequent adjustments.

10.5.15 Advances made to contractors and suppliers under paragraph 10.2.24

whether on the security of materials or otherwise as well as all recoverable payments
made under proper authority to labourers and others on behalf of contractors, should
be treated as advances made on account of the work concerned. They should not be
charged to the general suspense head “Miscellaneous Works Advances”, but
incorporated in the Works Abstract as suspense transactions. The head “Contractors
– Secured Advances” is intended solely for advances made to contractors under
paragraph 10.2.24(a) and the head “Contractors – Other Transactions” should be used
for all other transaction including the advances made under paragraph 10.2.18.

10.5.16 The head “Contractors – Other Transactions” is intended also for watching
the ultimate payment of the unpaid balances of contractors accounts. Similarly, the
head “Labourers” is meant for the clearance of the unpaid wages of labourers. If a
Running Account Bill or Muster Roll is only partly paid, the total amount due thereon
as value of work done or supplies made should be brought to account in the Works
Abstract as final charges and the amount remaining unpaid should be shown as a
minus entry in the appropriate suspense column – “Contractors – Other Transactions”
or “Labourers”.
10.5.17 The Forms of Works Abstract provide a column for each of the suspense
accounts enumerated in paragraph 10.5.12. The use of the head “Materials” is
explained in paragraph 10.5.7 and the foot-notes printed on the Forms of the Works
Abstract explain the mode of making both original and adjusting entries under the
other suspense heads.

10.5.18 If any wages of labourers remain unpaid after the completion of a work,
the accounts of the work may be kept open for a period of one month, which may be
extended to three months at the discretion of the Divisional Officer. Thereafter, the
accounts of the work should be closed, the balance under the suspense head
“Labourers” being left unadjusted. This amount should be shown in any completion
Report or Statement, Form CPWA 45 that may be prepared under the Rules in
paragraph 106 of the Central Public Works Department Code, by a special remark, as
a liability against the work and it should be excluded from the total expenditure on
the work, so as to arrive at the amount actually brought to account.

Note – If unpaid wages of labourers are claimed and paid subsequently to the closing
of the account of a work, the payment should ordinarily be charged against a fresh
estimate under the same head of service as the original work, a suitable Note being
recorded by the Divisional Office against the closing entry relating to the original
work, in the Register of Works, Form CPWA 40. Where, however, it may prove
more convenient, the accounts of the work may be reopened at the discretion of the
Divisional Officer.

10.5.19 The accounts of a contractor should be closed as soon as his contract is

completed. If he does not take final payment for more than one month after the final
bill has been passed, a note to this effect should be recorded on the bill, the amount of
the work as passed on the bill should be incorporated in the Works Abstract on the
authority of the bill and the balance due to him should be removed from the accounts
of the work by credit to the Minor head “ 108-Public Works Deposits” below the
Major Head “8443-Civil Deposits” to be dealt with thereafter under the Rules
relating thereto. If the final account of a contractor shows that he has already been
overpaid or that the account closes with a balance due by him, the account should be
settled by a recovery in cash or otherwise, but if an immediate recovery is not
practicable, the balance should be removed by debit to the sub-head “Miscellaneous
Works Advances” under the Major Head “799-Suspense” below the functional
Major/sub-Major Heads of Account.

Note – Where the amount of a bill is credited to the head “P.W.Deposits” under the
provisions of this para, but the contractor subsequently obtains a decree from a court,
the entire expenditure in satisfaction of the decree should be charged on the
Consolidated Fund of India in terms of Article 112(3)(f) of the Constitution
irrespective of the fact that a part of the amount might already have been voted out of
the Consolidated Fund and kept as a Deposit in Public Account. Before making
payment in satisfaction of the court decree, the amount standing to the credit of the
contractor under P.W.Deposits, should however, be cleared by reversing the initial
adjustment. These provisions will not, however, be attracted where a refund of
security deposit of revenue is made in satisfaction of a court decree, as such an item
cannot be treated as an item of expenditure within the meaning of Article 112(3)(f) of
the Constitution of India.
10.5.20 Disbursing Officers are responsible for keeping a strict watch over the
balances under the suspense account, “Contractors” and “Labourers”, with a view to
prompt adjustment by recovery, settlement of account or detailed measurement, as the
case may be. For this purpose the statement headed “Detail of Contractors closing
balance” in the Works Abstract and the record of unpaid wages maintained under
paragraph 10.2.3(e) should be examined monthly. Subject to the provisions of
paragraph 10.5.18 these accounts should be cleared before the accounts of a work can
be closed on completion.

(d) Land Acquisition Accounts

10.5.21 Advance payments made by the Divisional Officers to the Land

Acquisition Officer under the revised procedure for the adjustment of the land
acquisition charges will be debited directly to the suspense account, “Land
Acquisition” within the Works Accounts till the possession of land is received or
intimation of actual payment to the owners of land is received. This suspense head
will be cleared by the Divisional Officers on receipt of the accounts along with the
Land Award Statements, vouchers etc. from the Land Acquisition Officers, by debit
to the final head “Acquisition of Land” in the accounts of work vide note below para
8.1.12. Any balance of the advance should be refunded by the Land Acquisition
Officers along with the accounts. Award statements etc and credited to the suspense
head “Land Acqusition”.

If there is any delay in the land acquisition proceedings and final payment of
compensation etc., the accounts of work can be closed leaving the amount under
suspense account “Land Acquisition” unadjusted as in the case of suspense account
“Labourers” in the account of work, and may be reopened in case refund has to be
made or some further amount has to be paid.

Adjustments of outstanding amounts, if any, after the closure of the accounts of work
should be watched through a separate register.

IV Liabilities Awaiting Incorporation

10.5.22 Liabilities are not incorporated in the accounts of works, except in the
following cases:-

(a) Unpaid balances of partly paid running account bill or must rolls are invariably
incorporated.
(b) The value of materials received from sources other than stock (including
manufacture), whether for issue to contractors or for issue direct to works is at once
brought into the accounts of works even though payments to the suppliers and
adjustments crediting the transfer accounts concerned, may not be made at once, vide
paragraph 10.3.6 and 10.3.11 and
(c ) Wholly unpaid muster rolls and bills of contractors and suppliers are sometimes
taken to account.
Disbursing Officers, are however, responsible for keeping a strict watch over all
liabilities with a view to settling them promptly. Money indisputably payable should
never be left unpaid. It is no economy to postpone inevitable payments, and it is very
important to ascertain, liquidate and record the payment of all actual obligations at the
earliest possible date.

10.5.23 If any liabilities of works are incurred on behalf of contractors under the
provisions of paragraph 10.2.22, arrangements should be made for withholding
sufficient balances from their bills or for making necessary recoveries from them in
due course. On the analogy of the rule in paragraph 10.2.2, all records on the
authority of which liabilities may be liquidated or incorporated in the accounts,
should invariably specify (1) the full name of the work as entered in the estimate.
Agreement number or Supply order Number etc and (2) the recoverable charges if
any, with the name of the contractor or other person from whom recoverable.

V. PREPARATION, COMPLETION AND DISPOSAL OF WORKS

ABSTRACTS

10.5.24 The Works Abstract should be prepared in the divisional office. It should
be posted day by day from the Cash Book and the connected bills of contractors and
suppliers, cash refunds and readjustments of final charges being posted as minus
entries. At the end of Month, Stock and adjustment transactions should be added,
write back final charges being posted as minus entries. The closing balances of
contractors accounts should be detailed so as to prove the correctness of the up-to-
date totals under the suspense heads (1) “Contractors – Advance Payments”. (2)
“Contractors – Secured Advances”, and (3) “Contractors – Other Transactions” which
should agree with the balance as per the ledger accounts of the contractors in respect
of that particular estimate/work. The closing balances arrived at under the suspense
head labourers in each case should be agreed with the connected record of unpaid
wages and its correctness should be got ensured from the Sub-divisional Officer. The
Works Abstract should then be posted where all necessary completing entries will be
made in respect of the direct charges and adjustments made checked and closed under
the supervision of the Divisional Accountant, who should ensure the correctness of
the posting of entries of the Works Abstract and also of the closing balances of the
contractors account and it’s agreement with the ledger.
Note: The posting of stock and adjustment transactions may also be done as above.

10.5.25 When finally completed in all respects, all the Works Abstract of a month
should be examined by the Divisional Officer and any explanations necessary called
for from the Sub-divisional Officer. The monthly examination of the Works
Abstracts is an important part of the duty of the Divisional Officer and must not be
omitted. He must initial (and date) them in token of the performance of this duty.

10.6 Registers of Works

1. Forms of Registers of Works and their preparation

10.6.1 (a) The permanent and collective record of the expenditure incurred in the
division, during a year, on each work is the Register of Works. This record is
maintained in the Divisional Office, in Form CPWA 40.

(b) In respect of petty works, no record is necessary beyond the petty works
Requisition and Account, Form CPWA 32, which is self-explanatory.

10.6.2 The Registers of Works are posted monthly from Works Abstract. Only the
figure of expenditure against entry ‘A’ will be posted in the register of works. The
Contractor Ledger Form CPWA 43 will take care of all the suspense heads including
additional charges for material and labourers. A separate folio or set of folios of
Form CPWA 40 should be assigned to each Estimate. The transaction relating to
each Schedule Docket should be posted separately and an abstract for the entire work
should be prepared on a separate folio or set of folios for comparing the cost of the
work and with the provision in the estimate. The following instructions should
receive special attention:-

(a) The Register of Works is not a classified account of works; for facility of
reference it should be supplied with an index which should be sub-divided under the
prescribed heads of account classification.

(b) The sanctioned amount of estimate should be entered in respect of each work.
When supplementary estimates are sanctioned, the additional amounts sanctioned
should be entered below the corresponding amounts of the original estimates and both
totalled. But when a revised estimate is sanctioned, the account of the original
estimate should be closed and the revised estimate should be entered on a fresh folio,
prominently marked “Revised Estimate” in red ink, and a reference to the folio on
which the original estimate is to be found should be entered thereon.

(c ) In the case of works for which specific appropriation are sanctioned

individually, the amount of appropriation for the year should be noted in the Register
at the top of the page, any additions or deductions made during the year being noted
in the same place.

II. Examination by Divisional Officer

10.6.3 Before the date of submission of the monthly accounts to the Pay and
Accounts Officer, the posting of the Registers of Works, Form CPWA 40 should be
completed and the Registers should then be laid before the Divisional Officer for
review. The monthly account of each work on which there has been expenditure
during the month should be initialled (and dated) by the Divixsional Officer in the
column set apart for the purpose, in token of his having examined the entries and
found them correct. Actual, as well as, probable excesses, whether in the total cost of
a work or in the rate of cost should receive special attention, and works slips in Form
CPWA 39 should be prepared and submitted to the Superintending Engineer, when
necessary vide paragraph 36 and 46 of the Central Public Works Department Code.
Note 1: If the transactions of a division are very large, the Divisional Officer may
allow an extra period of a few days for the completion of the Register of Works,
Form CPWA 40 but the submission of the monthly accounts to the Pay and
Accounts Officer should not be delayed on this account.

Note 2: It should be seen, with special reference to works on which there have been
only petty or no transactions during the previous two or three months, if there are
circumstances justifying the retarded progress of expenditure. If any such works have
been stopped or are known to be nearing completion, the delay in closing their
accounts should be enquired into; see also paragraph 10.6.4. If the slow progress of
expenditure is due to delay in measuring work done or in settling up bills, the cause
of work should receive attention.

III. Closing The Accounts on Completion of Work

(a) Settlement of Liabilities and Assets and clearance of Suspense Accounts.

10.6.4 It is an object of great importance to close the accounts of works as soon as

possible after the actual work of construction is completed vide paragraph 48 of the
Central Public Works Department Code. If there is necessarily and delay in closing
the accounts, it should be seen in particular that further charges are not incurred
without the permission of the Divisional Officer.

10.6.5 Before the account of work can be closed on its completion, it should be
seen that any adjustments of cost necessary under the rules e.g., paragraph 60 of the
central Public Works Department Code and Paragraph 60(c ) of Statement A in
Appendix 2 to this Code, have been duly made in the “Land Acquisition” accounts
that all liabilities not originally brought to account have either been liquidated or
since brought to account and that the balances under the suspense accounts
“Contractors”, “Labourers” and “Land Acquisition” have been cleared. If the whole
or any part of the expenditure on the work is recoverable from another department,
Government Local body or individual, action should be taken to effect or complete
the necessary recovery before the accounts of the work are closed.

10.6.6 The steps to be taken to clear the suspense head “Materials” have been
detailed in paragraph 10.3.18.

10.6.7 The sub-head “Additional charges for Materials issued to Contractors/Direct

to works” should receive the special attention of the Divisional Officer who should, if
necessary investigate large closing balances under this head before permitting the
accounts of the work to be closed. It is not necessary to clear this head by
transferring the charges booked under it to other final sub-heads, but profits or losses
which are not clearly traceable to contractors and the actual cost to Government
should not be accepted as correct without closer examination.

10.6.8 The accounts of annual maintenance estimates must be closed in the month
fixed by the Administrative Ministry/Administration concerned, under paragraph 110
of the Central Public Works Department Code, as the last month of the working year
for the purpose. Ordinarily, it should be possible to complete all the repair works and
to settle the accounts of contractors and other suspense accounts, before the expiry of
the working year. If, in any exceptional case, any work remains to be done and, in
accordance with paragraph 111 of the Central Public works department Code, it is
proposed to carry it on to completion, action should be taken as under:-

(1) The expenditure incurred in the next working year should be treated as
expenditure against the annual maintenance estimate for that year.

(2) The suspense accounts of the work should be closed in the last month of the
working year, by transferring the balances of all those accounts to the general
suspense accounts “Public Works Deposits” or “Miscellaneous Works Advances”, as
the case may be, which should be relieved in the following month by transferring the
balances to the suspense account concerned in the accounts of the maintenance
estimate for the next working year. All unsettled liabilities and assets should then be
treated as those pertaining to the next working year’s estimate.

(b) Losing entries and review of expenditure

10.6.9 (a) When the work is completed and the accounts of it have been settled and
written up as indicated in paragraph 10.6.5 and 10.6.6 a double red ink line should be
ruled below the final entries and a note made in red ink “Work completed in ……20”.
This note should be signed by the Divisional Officer in token of his satisfying himself
that all action has been taken under those paragraphs. It will be the authority for
treating the accounts of the work as closed, and a work should not be reported as
completed in the divisional accounts unless this authority has been placed on record.

(b) If it is a Deposit Work, steps should be taken promptly to surrender the

unexpended balance, if any, of the deposit with the approval of the Divisional Officer.

(c ) Excesses over estimates.

(i) Excesses passed by Divisional Officer

10.6.10 If the total expenditure on the work is in excess of the sanctioned estimate
and the excess is passed by the Divisional Officer under his power, the words “Excess
passed by me” should be added to the completion note recorded under paragraph
10.6.9.

(ii) Completion Reports and Statements

10.6.11 If, however, the excess is not within the Divisional Officer’s powers to deal
with, a Detailed Completion Report in Form CPWA 44 should be prepared or the
items should be included in a consolidated Completion Statement of Works and
Repairs in Form CPWA 45 as may be required under the rule in paragraph 106 of
the Central Public Works Department Code. The completion note in the Register of
Works should then be amplified thus: “Work completed in ….20 Completion Report
statement submitted with this office letter No. dated 20”.

The orders passed subsequently by higher authority on the excess reported in the
Completion Report or Statement should also be noted in the Register of Works, Form
CPWA 40 to complete the record.

IV. Correction of Errors After Closing of Accounts

10.6.12 Should an error or omission in the recorded expenditure of a work come to

light after its accounts have been closed (See paragraph 48 of the Central Public
Works Department Code), the accounts may be reopened in order to rectify the error
or omission unless the amount involved is not more than ten rupees in which case it
will be sufficient to make a note of the error or omission in the relevant documents
concerned.

V. Schedule of Rates

10.6.13 To facilitate the preparation of estimates, as also to serve as a guide in

settling rates in connect ion with contract agreements, a schedule of rate for each kind
of work commonly executed be maintained in the division and kept up to date. It
should be prepared on the basis of the rates prevailing in each locality and necessary
analysis of the rates for each description of work and for the varying conditions,
thereof should, as far as may be practicable be recorded.

The rates entered in estimates should generally agree with the scheduled rates but
where, from any cause, the latter are not considered sufficient, the deviation should be
explained in detail in the report on the estimate.

10.7 CONTRACTORS’ LEDGER

(The rules in this section apply to all transactions with contractors in connection with
contracts or jobs undertaken by them, whether relating to the execution of works or
to the supply of materials for work or stock).

1. Form and Use of the Ledger

10.7.1 The Accounts relating to contractors should be kept in the Contractors’

Ledger, Form CPWA 43, a separate folio or set of folios being reserved for all the
transactions with each contractor for whom a personal account is maintained, vide
paragraph 10.7.2.

10.7.2 A personal account should be opened in the ledger for every contractor,
whether or not a formal contract has been entered into with him, unless the work or
supply entrusted to him is not important and no payment is made to him except on a
First and Final bill, Form CPWA 24, on completion. If only materials are issued to
the contractor or any payments are made on his behalf, a ledger account must be
opened.

II. Posting the Ledger

10.7.3 The Contractor’s Ledger, Form CPWA 43 should be written up in the

divisional office. It is not necessary for the sub-divisional Officer to maintain a
similar ledger in his office, but if he maintains one, the divisional office may not
require him to furnish extracts therefrom.

10.7.4 Except when a contractor’s account is to be closed and the procedure

prescribed in paragraph 10.5.20 is observed in respect of unpaid bills, the value of
work done or supplies made by a contractor should not be credited to his account
until his bill has been passed and payment made thereon. Debit entries in the Ledger
should be made only on the basis of transactions recorded in the accounts, the posting
being made from the supporting cash, stock or adjustment vouchers, liabilities not yet
liquidated should be excluded altogether the value of materials, if any, issued to a
contractor under paragraph 10.3.2 or 10.3.3 should be debited to his account on the
authority of his acknowledgement See paragraph. 10.3.6

Note – Security deposits of contractors should not be included in their personal

accounts in the Ledger, vide paragraph 15.1.1.

10.7.5 (a) The form of the ledger provides for the following columns “- Particulars
of Bills or Voucher.

1. Date
2. Voucher Number
3. Serial Number, if a running account bill.

Net Transactions detailed by suspense heads:

4. Advance Payments
5. Secured Advances
6. Other Transactions
7. Name of work or Account and Particulars of transactions.

Gross Transactions:-
8. Debits
9. Credits
 10. Total value of work or supplies
11. Remarks.
(b) Columns 8 and 9 constitute the ledger account proper and columns 4, 5
and 6 set forth the net effect of each posting on the three suspense heads
making up the account. Column 10 is also not a part of the personal account,
but will be found useful for the purpose of exercising a check over the
continuity of bills in the case of running accounts.

(c) columns 1 to 3 and 11 require no explanation. Instructions for filling in

columns 4 to 10 in the case of personal accounts are given below:-

(i) Column 7:- “Name of Work etc.” Here shoauld be entered the full name
of the work to which the bill or voucher relates except in the case of supplier’s
bills, when the name of the account concerned. Stock or Purchases, should be
stated. Brief particulars describing the nature of the transactions should then
be added, and against the line should then be posted, in the money columns 4,
5, 6, 8, 9 and 10, the figures relating to that transaction only. When a
deduction made from a contractor’s bill for one work is creditable to the
account of another work, and such credit is in connection with his contract for
the latter work, two distinct sets of entries should be made in the ledger, one
for the payment made on account of the former work and the other for the
recovery creditable to the latter, as if the recovery had been made in cash.
The second set of entries should be posted in a separate line, in columns 6 and
9 against the name of the work concerned.

Note – If there are several contracts in connection with a work or account, the
transactions relating to each should be distinguished, preferably by quoting
the number and date of agreement.

(i i) Column 4 – “Advance Payments – If the bill is Running Account Bill (Form

CPWA 26), figure D of the Memorandum of Payments should be posted in this
column.

(iii) Column5 – “Secured Advances” – figure ‘E’ of the Account of Secured

Advances, Form CPWA 26-A should be posted in this column.

(iv) Column6 – “Other transactions” – In the case of running Account Bill, figure
G of the Memorandum of Payments should be posted in this column. If a
payment is made on a first and final bill, Form CPWA 24, no entry should be
made in this column unless a recovery is made from the contractor on any
account. In the case of transactions other than these, the amount paid or
recovered should be entered. The amount of the advance made under
paragraph 10.2.18 should be posted in this column.
 (v) In columns 4, 5 and 6 debits to contractors should be posted as plus entries
and credits as minus entries.

(vi) Column 8 – “Gross Transactions – Debits” – If it is a Running Account Bill,

figure H of the Memorandum of Payments should be posted in this column;
otherwise, the total amount paid or chargeable.

(vii) Column 9 – “Gross Transactions – Credits” – Here should be entered the

value of work or supplies creditable to the contractor, which will be figure F
or Account I in the case of running Account Bill.

(viii) Column 10 – “Total value of Work or Suppliers” – In the case of Running

Account Bill, here should be entered the total value of work done or supplies
made upto date, as per figure A of Account I of Bill, but before posting the
bill it should be seen that the figure shown in Account I of it as “Deduct value
of work shown on previous bill” agrees with the last entry in column 10 of the
ledger against the work concerned. In token of this check, this last entry in
column 10 should be initialled (and dated) by the Divisional Accountant.

III. Balancing and Reconciliation

10.7.6 The ledger accounts should be closed and balanced monthly. The closing
balance of each personal account should be detailed so as to show, in respect of each
separate work or account (Stock or Purchases), the amount outstanding, if any, under
each of the three suspense accounts, (I) Advance Payments, (2) Secured Advances and
(3)Other Transactions with a quotation, in each case, of the last Running Account Bill
and of all the vouchers supporting unadjusted outstanding under “Other Transactions” not
incorporated in the last Running Account Bill. In the case of Running Account Bills
these balances can easily be ascertained from the Memorandum of Payments as indicated
in the table below and it will be found convenient in practice to make a note of the
outstanding balances of each bill, in the ledger when posting the bill, so that at the end of
the month the closing balance of the ledger account may be verified with the net result of
the details already recorded:-

Class of Balance Serial Number of entry in Memorandum of Payments on

class of Balance in the Running Account Bill (Form
CPWA 26)
1. Advance Payments……. 2
2. Secured Advances…….. 3
3. Other Transactions……. 5

Note – See note below paragraph 10.7.5 (c) (i)

10.7.7 The Divisional Accountant should ensure the correctness of the Contractor’s
Ledger,Form CPWA-43 and also further see that there is no indication of a transaction
pertaining to a running account having been settled on a Form of bill not permitted to be
used for the purpose.

10.7.8 (a) Periodically, all the personal accounts in the ledger should be examined to see
(1) that balances do not remain outstanding for a long time without justification and (2)
that in the case of running accounts, bills are prepared at reasonable intervals.

(b) Entries in column 10, “Total value of work or Supplies” not bearing the initials of the
Divisional Accountant recorded under paragraph 10.7.5(c) should be reviewed in
particular to ascertain the cause of delay, if any, in the preparation of final bills. This
examination must invariably be made before a volume of the ledger is laid aside on
completion, so as to ensure that all outstanding accounts in it are carried forward to a new
volume.

IV. Scrutiny of Accounts by Contractors

10.7.9 A contractor requiring a copy of his running account bill or an extract from his
account in the Contractors’ Ledger, Form CPWA-43 should be furnished with the same.
He should be encouraged to look at his account in the ledger and sign it in token of his
acceptance of it. See also Note 2 below paragraph 10.2.21.

10.7.10 The Account relating to issue of material direct to work when contract is
of labour or the work is to be done departmentally and also for land acquisition (10.5.21),
the ledger will be maintained in Form CPWA 43-A. This form provides for the
following columns:-

1. Date
2. No. of Voucher/Indent No.
3. Sr. No. if a Running Account Bill
4. Net Transactions detailed by Suspense head
5. Material
6. Labour
7. Land Acquisition
8. Name of the Work Account and Particulars of the Transactions
9. Gross Transactions
10. Debits
11. Credits
12. Total value of Work done
13. Remarks

10.8 SUNDRY RULINGS

I. Carriage & Incidental Charges

10.8.1 (a) The cost of carriage of stock materials to site of works, and of all carriage
charges, in connection with the movement, from place to place, of other materials issued
to or provided specially for a work, should be debited to the account of the work, the
exact classification of charges being as indicated below:-

Nature of issue of Material Head chargeable in the account of the work

I. Issue to Contractors under
para 10.3.2
a. To the promised place of “Final charges” in the case of work executed
delivery departmentally or through Contract for labour only and
“Additional Charges” for materials issued to
contractors/Direct Work, in the contracts where the
supply of departmental materials are stipulated
b. Beyond the place of The personal account of the contractors under the
delivery, if incurred suspense head “Contractors-Other Transactions”
2.Issue of contractors to under -do-
para 10.3.3
3. Issue Direct to works Final Charges/Materials, as the case may be

(b) When surplus materials are returned from a work to stock, the cost of carriage should
be borne by the work, but if they are transferred to another work, the charge may be
debited to either work as may be equitable.

(c ) Incidental charges connected with the movement of materials issued to or provided

specially for a work or returned therefrom should be adjusted in the same way as the cost
of carriage.

(d) In all cases, the places from and to which materials are conveyed, the distance, the
quantity and the approximate weight must be stated clearly in the payment vouchers.

II. Charges for Examination of Soil

10.8.2 The expense attendant, upon the necessary examination of the soil for the
foundations of works ordered by competent authority should be treated as outlay on
works and not as a contingent charge, provision for it being made under the service head
concerned in a requisition or estimate according to the sum involved.

III. Expenditure on Inauguration Ceremonies

10.8.3 The expenditure incurred with the sanction of competent authority on ceremonies
connected with the inauguration of important public works should be debited:- (a) In the
case of irrigation projects (Commercial), to the revenue account of the project, and (b) in
the case of other works, to the contingencies of the sanctioned estimate.

IV. Rates and Taxes on Buildings

10.8.4 Municipal or other rates and taxes on Government buildings shall be adjusted in
the manner laid down in Government Accounting Rules, 1990.

V. Execution of Works by Other Departments

10.8.5 Whenever the maintenance of any works under the administrative control of the
Public Works Department is entrusted to the agency of another Civil Department with the
sanction of Government, the rules of procedure applicable to expenditure connected with
the work will be such as may be laid down by the Administrative Ministry/Administrator
concerned in consultation with the Chief Controller of Accounts, subject to the
following reservations:-

(1) The Civil Department should be responsible to the Public Works Department to
account for appropriation placed at its disposal.
(2) The Public Works Department should retain budgetary and financial control
(3) The Public Works Department should retain technical control through
inspection.
Note:- See Chapter 5-Works of General Financial Rules,2005

VI. Execution of Government Works by Local Bodies

10.8.6 When the Public Works Department entrusts to the agency of a District Board, or
other local body, the maintenance of Government buildings or roads, without transferring
the property to the local body, the payment made to it on this account should be treated as
a payment for work done by a contractor. If lump sum payments have been agreed upon,
the procedure for settling the account periodically, and for recording the cost of the
works, may be simplified, with the concurrence of the Chief Controller of Accounts
provided:-

(a) that a certificate that the work has been done in accordance with the conditions
agreed upon is placed on record by a responsible official;
(b) that if the payment is made for a number of works expenditure on all of which
cannot be classified in the accounts under a single head of account, the necessary
detailed classification of the charge is set forth and
(c) that, as far as possible, the liability of a year is settled within that year.

See also paragraph 10.1.5.

Note 1 – These payments should not be charged to the detail heads “grants-in-aid” that
head being intended for cash contributions made to local bodies in connection with (1)
roads which are either not the property of Government or being such property, have been
transferred to the control of a local body and (2) miscellaneous civil works, the cost of
which, if constructed by the Public Works Department would be debitable to the minor
head “Construction” and for the financial assistance given to these bodies, in the form of
expenditure incurred in the Public Works Department on a work constructed by the
department on their behalf.

Note 2 – The Administrative Ministry/Administration concerned will issue orders stating

who shall be treated as a “responsible” official in each case for the purposes of proviso
(a)

VII. Scope of Sanction

10.8.7 The authority granted by a Sanction to an estimate is strictly limited by the precise
objects for which the estimate was intended to provide. Accordingly it is not permissible
to apply, without the sanction of the competent authority, any anticipated or actual
savings, whether due to the abandonment of a part of work or to any other cause, on a
sanctioned estimate of a definite project, to carry out additional work not contemplated in
the original project or fairly contingent on its actual execution. However, subject to the
availability of funds under sub-head “Contingencies” in the sanctioned project estimate,
and subject to the acceptance of the Engineer-in-Chief, such additional works not
contemplated in the sanctioned project, may be executed by the Divisional Offices.