In public works accounting and estimation, identify the correct definitions: work value (excluding contingencies and establishments), actual cost (including incidentals), administrative approval, and technical sanction.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: All the above

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Public sector projects follow codified financial procedures distinguishing planning approvals from technical vetting and tracking of costs. Clarity on these definitions prevents bottlenecks in sanction, tendering, and payment processing.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Standard public works terminology is used.
  • Separate roles: administrative departments (policy/finance) vs engineering authorities (technical vetting).
  • Direct and indirect cost components are recognized.


Concept / Approach:
Work value generally denotes the net cost of the physical work excluding contingencies and establishment T&P overheads. Actual cost includes all expenditures incurred to complete a work, covering incidentals and establishments. Administrative approval is the formal go-ahead to spend public money on a defined scheme. Technical sanction is the engineer’s vetted approval of a detailed estimate, drawings, and quantities.


Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Map each term to its standard definition in codes/manuals.2) Confirm that administrative approval precedes technical sanction in the workflow.3) Recognize that actual cost >= work value due to added overheads and incidentals.4) Conclude that all statements A–D are correct and complementary.


Verification / Alternative check:
Departmental codes and SOR prefaces list these definitions to standardize project processing from proposal to completion.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Any single statement alone would be incomplete; the question is testing recognition of the complete set.


Common Pitfalls:

  • Confusing administrative approval (policy) with technical sanction (engineering vetting).
  • Misreporting work value by including contingency or establishment.


Final Answer:
All the above.

More Questions from Estimating and Costing

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion