Baramulla, April 05 (KNO) : Urging the Government to immediately release all the pending bills of contractors, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Vice President and former MLC G N Monga Friday said non-payment of bills to the contractors is unfair and injustice with them.
Addressing Contractors Association Baramulla, who are on strike against the non-payment of bills, Monga said there is liability of Rs 1150 crore towards contractors in Kashmir while in Baramulla division only the liability is Rs 45 crore.
“This amount had to be paid to the contractors before the end of last financial year. Though new financial year has already started, the contractors are running from pillar to post for the payments of last financial year, but to no avail,” he said as per a statement issued to KNO.
“These contractors who had availed loans from various financial institutions at huge interest rates are suffering for no fault of theirs. They have completed the works and are being deprived of their livelihood as their finances are depleting,” the Congress leader rued.
Urging the Governor Administration to immediately release all the pending bills of the contractors, he assured his full support to the protesting contractors. “Congress party will take up this issue to every possible forum so that the contractors are paid their dues. Due to the non-payment of the bills, not only contractors, but everyone associated with the government works, including the labour class are suffering which is unfortunate,” he said.
The JKPCC Vice President said that the contractors have already decided to boycott all the tenders in Kashmir till their previous bills are not paid. “As the working season has started in Kashmir after a long winter, it will seriously impact the development works. Government must take concrete and immediate steps to address this issue,” he demanded.(KNO)