Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 22: To protest against non clearance of bills of contractors as their liability has accumulated to Rs 700 crore with the Government over the years, the J&K Contractors Coordination Committee held a one day demonstration in front of Lok Nirman Bhawan here today.
The contractors from all over the State participated in the protest demanding early release of their payment.
The contractors also expressed their resentment against the introduction of new civil accountability system. The demonstration was addressed by Balwinder Singh and Vinod Kohli general secretaries of the Committee, its chairman Ghulam Jeelanai Purza, Yogeshwar Singh, Sham Singh and Ravinder Nath Sharma all vice chairmen JKCCC and they warned the Government of serious consequences in case it failed to release their payments as contractors in the State were facing financial hardships and some have been forced to mortgage their houses and other property to seek loans to make payments of labourers and shopkeepers.
They also warned to stop the ongoing works and urged the Government not to invite tenders for new works till their payments are cleared.
The Committee also announced that over 20 members of JKCCC will leave for Kashmir valley to participate in their ongoing struggle there.
Meanwhile, After boycotting developmental works and going for hunger strikes over their payments, the Valley based contractors have decided to hold black flags before Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on his scheduled Kashmir visit this week.
A statement issued by the General Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Central Contractors Coordination Committee (JKCCCC) Farooq Ahmad Dar said: “The State Government’s reluctance in meeting our demands has forced us to greet PM in such an unsavory way. He (PM) is going to inaugurate the Banihal-Qazigund rail section on June 25. We have decided to assemble at the spot and greet him a black flag.”
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