Jammu, April 23: (KNS)A virtual workshop on the “The Contract Management during Emergency situations” was today organized by the World Bank. Project Management Unit of Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) which is executing  the $ US 250 Million Flood Recovery Project funded by the World Bank in the union territory of the Jammu and Kashmir participated.

The objective of the virtual workshop was to educate participants about the likely impact of the COVID -19 pandemic on the implementation of the bank funded projects, its possible implications on the contract management and to equip them with various mitigation measures.

Ananya Kumar, a legal expert, briefed the participants about the various provisions in Indian legal system for interpreting contractual provisions including force majeure in emergencies. He dwelt at length on the provisions provided under sections 32 & 56 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, FIDIC Red Book (1999) (2017). He said that the force majeure clause has to be seen in harmony with the contract agreement as a whole.

He added that in view of the COVID-19 we need to re-organize ourselves in terms of the changed situation.

Dr. Ajit Patwardhan, contract management expert and former Dean NICMAR, Pune delved at length on the effects of COVID-19 on the construction sector and likely claims to be made by the contractors due to the COVID-19 and the lockdown. He stressed on the need for various contract remedial measures to tackle the situation that may arise in the management of contracts in post COVID-19 scenario.

Dr. Ajit also gave various suggestions to the implementing agencies to minimize the impact of these events.

Prof. C.L Bansal, Public Policy & Governance expert in his session discussed about the role of Dispute Resolution Boards and Arbitrators in case of the disagreement between the parties. He said in the post COVID -19 era contracts will have to be looked at practically and not only rationally and existing contracts may have to be re-worked by way of Novation, Alteration, Accord and Waiver for smooth execution of contracts and to avoid conflicts between the parties.

Chief Executive Officer, J&KERA/JTFRP, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed in his remarks appreciated the World Bank for organizing the event and expressed the hope that the workshop would equip the Project Management Unit, JTFRP to handle the contract management issues of the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery project (JTFRP) with a much improved clarity and understanding.

The workshop was also attended by Director Planning and Coordination, JTFRP, Iftikhar Hakim, Director, Technical, Iftikhar Ahmad Kakroo and other senior officers of JTFRP and more than 350 other participants from different executing agencies across the country via. Virtual mode.(KNS)