Public Private Partnership in Assam: An Overview
Introduction:
Public Private Partnership (PPP) cell, constituted under Transformation & Development Department is primarily involved in extending its support to concerned line departments in taking up PPP projects. The support includes identifying, conceptualizing and creating a shelf of projects in consultation with the line Departments and seeking approval of such projects from High Powered Committees from time to time.
PPP Policy
PPP Policy 2008 was notified vide Gazette Notification No. PDP.115/2002/Pt-II/268 dated 16th February, 2008. The policy highlights the broad framework of the PPP processes including setting up of an efficient administrative mechanism to ensure selection of private sector developer through transparent bidding criteria to bring in uniformity in approach cutting across various sectors and departments of the Government.
PPP Initiative
To accelerate economic growth, Govt. of Assam has proposed to bring in private sector investment with PPP mode as one of the preferred routes for infrastructure development of the state. In the recent years, Assam has taken several initiatives to encourage development of infrastructure projects through PPP. Some of the major initiatives include-
- Announced the state PPP policy.
- PPP cell under the Transformation & Development Department has been created to extend support to concerned line departments and other government agencies in taking up PPP projects.
- A dedicated website on PPP in Assam viz http://www.transdev.assam.gov.in is developed and hosted to improve monitoring of overall progress pertaining to PPP activities of the state and to share the information among the stakeholders and public at large.
- A project development fund has been created through state budgetary support to extend financial support to the sponsoring agencies. A brief guideline on PDF utilization process was made available to the sponsoring departments.
- Transformation and Development Department has initiated multi-cornered activities to support capacity building initiatives for development of PPPs in Assam. Officers of different department and state agencies were trained in the realm of PPP framework. GoA has imitated to tie up with a reputed Training Institute for continuous roll out of training to its officials in the PPP domain.
- Two high powered committees viz. Apex Authority headed by Hon’ble Chief Minister and Empowered Committee on PPP headed by Chief Secretary is constituted for speedy clearances and approval of PPP projects.
