517307593.

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OPERATIONAL WORKS (PARA)

Q. What are Operational Works? Are they different from works of

"Operational military necessity" under Defence Works Procedure?
Ans. Govt. of India issues orders from time to time defining the areas
constituting Operational Works Areas. Within the areas to specified, the
Commanders of the field formations/sectors are empowered to order the
execution of works which are of temporary nature, actually required for the
execution of operations or for formations directly assisting in such
operations. Such works are called Operational Works.
Defence Works Procedure 2007 is the basic procedure governing
Defence Works and it lays down various stages for processing, approval and
control over works.
If unexpected circumstances arise from operational military necessity,
any Commander may order the commencement of work by furnishing an
order in writing to the engineer officer concerned, subject to conditions
stipulated in the said Para. While a work of operational military necessity
can be thus commenced, the requirements of issue of Admin Approval based
on subsequently prepared AEs are not dispensed with.
Op Works and works mentioned in Para 34 of DWP, 2007 are thus
substantially different. A few more differences-
(a) Op works possible only in notified areas whereas Para 34 works possible
anywhere;
(b) Expenditure in case of Op works debitable to Revenue Head while in case
of DWP work, it will depend upon the value. (GOI letter No. 0633/Q3W-
III/204/Q/D8/48 dt. 23.1.1948 as reproduced in Op. Works Procedure (Pg/37)
and Para 34 & Addenda-III (1-2) (Pg/82) of DWP, 2007)

Q. What are the types of operational works?

Ans. Types of operational works:-
These are restricted to the following categories -
(i) Field of Defence
(ii) Improvement of Air fields etc.
(iii) Field water supply
(iv) Ancillary buildings to tented camps and hospitals
(v) Shelters etc.
(vi) Construction of advance landing grounds, helipads, roads etc.
Shelters are designed to withstand enemy small arms/artillery fire.
(Auth: Para 3 & of D.I. on op. Works and Addenda-II (3) of DWP, 2007)
Q. A formation commander places operational Works on PWD. Is it in order?
Ans. Yes, in order. Formation Engineers may not always be in a position to
execute all the operational tasks. In such case, the works can be placed on
MES/PWD/any other constructional agencies.
(Auth: Para 7 of D.I. on op. Works and Addenda-II (7) of DWP, 2007)
Q. What is the Major Head to which all expenditure on operational Works
will be debited?
Ans. Major Head 2076 - Defence Services Army
(Auth: Para 23 of D.I. on operational works)

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Q. Who renders Monthly Expenditure Returns for works executed by other
constructional agencies?
Ans. Operational tasks executed by agencies other than formation
Engineers and MES, the Chief Engineer command will coordinate and send
MER to CDA. (Auth: Para 26 of D.I. on operational works)
Q. Why the operational works are needed and how these are different from
normal works in regard to their procedure?
Ans. Operational works are generally of temporary nature actually needed
for the conduct of operations for formations directly concerned with such
operations. Works will not be treated as operational works if they can be
dealt with under normal works procedure, without risk to the progress of
operations. (Para 1 of Section-1, Addenda -III (on op. Works) of DWP - 2007)

Q. A formation engineer has entered into a contract to execute an

operational work sanctioned by a division commander. Comment.
Ans. This will be objected to in audit because formation engineers have to
execute operational works ordered on them departmentally. They cannot
execute Operational works through contract.
(Auth: Para 8 of Section-2, Addenda-III (On operational Works) of DWP, 2007)

Q. An operational work has been extended beyond two working seasons.

Comment.
Ans. This will be objected to in audit because no operational works should
extend beyond two working seasons.
(Para 29 of Section - 3, Addenda-III (On operational Works) of DWP 2007)

Q. The monthly statement of imprest account pertaining to cash

expenditure of an operational work for the month of March 2009 was
received in the first week of April 2009 in a regional controller's office.
Ans. This will be objected to in audit because the last statement of account
before the close of financial year will be forwarded to the regional controller
by 31 March.(Para 63 of Section-6, Addenda-III (On op. Works) of DWP, 2007)
Q. A residential building in an operational area has been electrified under
operational works.
Ans. This will be objected to in audit because residential accommodation,
whether built or hired, should not be electrified. If considered essential the
work is required to be sanctioned under the normal works procedure.
(Auth: GOI MOD No. 06633/03/WIII/10934/D7 Dt. 29.9.50 & even No. of 17.8.75)

Q. G.O.C. of an Armoured Division places an order for purchase of pre-

fabricated shelters in replacement of tentage for a Medical Battalion. The
CDA objects to the same. Why?
Ans. Shelters are substitutes for tentage and can be constructed provided
they are designed to withstand enemy fire. There is no provision for
purchase of prefabricated shelters for hospitals under Operational Works
Procedure. (Auth: E-in-C’s Letter No. 66449/E(WPC) Dated 19/05/1977)

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