GBA introduces time-bound, digital system for contractor bill payments

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, on Saturday, directed the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) to overhaul the works bill processing system to make contractor payments faster, time-bound, and transparent.

The reforms will be implemented uniformly across Bengaluru’s five city corporations for works funded through both government grants and the corporations’ own resources. The new system will move bill processing to a streamlined, digital, and time-bound process with defined responsibilities at each stage.

Under the revised system, bills will move through the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS). Further, the scrutiny will be done by the Project Management Consultant (PMC); verification and certification will be conducted by field engineers; and pre-audit and approval will be done by the Chief Engineer before payments. Each stage will have a prescribed timeline.