Srinagar, Mar 10: The Jammu and Kashmir Contractors Coordination Committee (JKCCC) on Tuesday expressed serious concern over delays in the release of payments to contractors and difficulties arising from recent government orders, saying the situation is affecting development works across Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement, JKCCC Chairman Ghulam Jeelani Purza said that despite the financial year nearing its end, final quarter funds have not yet been released, creating severe problems for contractors who have already completed various development projects.
Purza said a significant amount of payments remains pending across departments, including the Public Works Department (R&B), Public Health Engineering Department and the Jal Jeevan Mission. He claimed that liabilities in these sectors alone amount to around ₹1,500 crore, placing contractors under considerable financial strain.
“The financial year is about to end in March, but the last quarter funds have still not been released. Contractors across Jammu and Kashmir are under severe pressure because their payments have been pending for a long time,” he said.
The JKCCC chairman also raised concerns over recent orders issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Finance Department and the Jammu and Kashmir Geology and Mining Department, stating that the directives are creating hurdles in clearing contractors’ bills at treasuries.
According to Purza, contractors’ bills are being returned from treasuries with queries related to mining royalty for construction materials, which he said should normally be the responsibility of miners, crusher owners, suppliers and transporters rather than contractors who purchase materials from the open market.
He warned that such measures could slow down development works in the region and lead to funds lapsing if payments are not cleared before the end of the financial year.
Purza urged the Jammu and Kashmir government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, along with Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and senior administrative officials, to intervene and address the contractors’ concerns at the earliest.
He also called on the government to legalise and identify proper sources of construction material across districts to streamline the mining sector and facilitate the smooth execution of development works.
The JKCCC said thousands of contractors, suppliers and workers depend on the timely release of payments for their livelihood and appealed to the authorities to resolve the issue urgently to avoid further financial hardship and disruptions to development projects in the Union Territory.
