Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 10: The private contractors who have completed many construction works/ projects of the J&K UT Government, have demanded that their pending bills worth over Rs 800 crores be paid without any further delay.
The Jammu & Kashmir Contractors Coordination Committee (JKCCC), raised this concern over the non-release of pending payments amounting to over 800 crores, affecting not only the contractors but also their families and labourers. The payments, stuck in the treasury for several months, have caused significant hardships for those relying on daily wages and material suppliers.
“Our families and labourers are suffering due to the lack of wages. We have taken loans from various banks to sustain our operations, but the continued delay in releasing payments has pushed us into financial distress,” JKCCC Chairman Ghulam Jeelani Purza said.
The JKCCC has made an earnest appeal to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner, and other top officials to address this issue urgently.
In addition to the payment delays, JKCCC highlighted several other grievances including non-renewal of Contractors’ cards. It said many contractors’ cards remained unrenewed, pending with the R&B Department. Despite assurances, no action has been taken.
Contractors registered with other departments are participating in R&B projects, while R&B-registered contractors are being unfairly excluded. The JKCCC urged authorities to address this matter promptly.
Due to the lapse in March 2024 financial year, bills amounting to Rs 800 crores remained un-released. Despite assurances from the government that these payments would be accommodated, a significant portion remains unpaid, Jeelani added.
JKCCC appealed to the Financial Commissioner to release the pending payments of the contractors without further delay.
“The Government had previously promised us a one-time relaxation for the renewal of all contractors’ cards. We urge the concerned authorities to fulfill this promise and clear our long-standing grievances,” Ghulam Jeelani said.
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