Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 22: Hot Mix Plant Holders Association (HMPHA) Jammu today projected their demands which include revision of rates of bituminous works, debarring ‘A’ Class contractors not having their own Hot Mix Plants from participation in tenders and clearance of payments within 30 days.
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Addressing a press conference here today, Association leaders said that due to massive hike in costs of bitumen, diesel, emulsion and labour in last one year, the Hot Mix Plant Holders have been facing difficulties in execution of works as the presently approved rates of bituminous works are too low. They demanded to revise the bituminous rates keeping in view the present market rates.
They said Government has also failed to meet the commitment of releasing funds for the works done since 2015 to 2020, thereby blocking massive working capital of the Hot Mix Plant Holders. On the top of that, they said, all the present contracts under execution are not paid as Government has fixed only 70% of the fund release by December 2021 and balance 30 % in the month of March 2022.
“Regular amendment doesn’t support the contractors as they are supposed to be paid within 30 days of completion of works. The partly release of payment has very badly affected work progress as well as cash flow of the contractors, resulting in failure of contracts,” they said and urged upon the authorities to clear work done payments within 30 days of completion of works.
The Association leaders also expressed resentment over participation in works of those ‘A’ Class contractors who don’t have their own Hot Mix Plants and are executing macdamization works on the basis of declaration on affidavit from Hot Mix Plant Holders. They demanded that all such ‘A’ Class contractors be debarred from participating in macadamization works.
“In case ‘A’ Class contractors not having their own Hot Mix Plants are not debarred from participating in works, Hot Mix Plant Holders will not participate in e-tendering for macadamization works,” the Association leaders declared.
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