Draft bill for speedy resolution of PPP disputes soon

Manmohan Singh had in asked panel to prepare draft bill for speedy resolution of issues related to public contracts

Planning Commission will soon finalise a draft bill to put in place an institutional mechanism for speedy resolution of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) disputes and place it before the Cabinet for approval next month.

"The work on the draft bill on a mechanism to resolve issues with PPP projects is at advance stages. We will approach the Cabinet with the bill next month," Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia told PTI.

Amid rising concerns over delays and cost overruns in PPP projects, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had in May asked the Commission to prepare a draft bill for speedy resolution of issues related to public contracts.

It was asked to prepare the draft Bill on Dispute Resolution in public contracts in consultation with all stakeholders and ministries.

"The Commission has already circulated a draft note to various ministries on performance of PPP projects in the country and remedial measures to address issues hampering implementation of PPP projects," Ahluwalia said.

Last month, Ahluwalia had called a meeting of secretaries of infrastructure ministries, including power, railways, road transport and highways, shipping, urban development and aviation to discuss problems facing PPP projects.

After the meet, Ahluwalia had discussed the views of various ministries on different issues with the Finance Ministry to firm up the draft Cabinet note on PPP projects.