Chandigarh, Nov. 19 -- Nearly two months after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) curtailed the financial powers of the UT administration, mandating that all project proposals be routed through the Ministry instead of being cleared locally, it has clarified that the order does not apply to the purchase of items or routine repair and maintenance works.

As per the latest orders, proposals up to Rs.100 crore falling under 'contract and purchase' head - for instance purchase of buses for the CTU fleet -- are fully delegated to the UT. Further, in cases of single-tender or proprietary article certificate (PAC) purchases up to Rs.10 crore, the UT is free to take a call on its own.

Besides this, it can also decide on minor civil and electrical...