Ajay Sharma
Rajouri, July 18
Contractors in Reasi and Rajouri are reportedly grappling with severe payment delays, raising concerns about the effectiveness of local administration in managing public works and development projects.
“Despite assurances from the government that there is no shortage of funds, the distribution of payments has been hindered by bureaucratic inefficiencies, causing distress among contractors,” said sources, adding that recently contractors have voiced their frustrations, citing that although money is allocated from higher authorities, it is not reaching them due to the negligence and delays by officials in the secretariat and key figures in the Public Works Department (PWD).
” Specifically, they pointed out that the Chief Engineer of PWD and other senior officers have failed to ensure timely payments,” alleged sources, adding that one of the contractors shared that payments for road safety projects are often partially disbursed, with 20% to 30% of the funds received, while the rest remain pending for extended periods.
They said that this delay is attributed to the lack of timely updates and confirmations from the government regarding completed works and outstanding payments.
When approached, officials such as the Chief Engineer of PWD acknowledged the issue but were unable to provide concrete reasons for the delays. The situation has led to an accumulation of liabilities amounting to lakhs of crores, causing significant financial strain on contractors who have completed their work but are still awaiting compensation.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha have repeatedly emphasized that there is no financial constraint for development in Jammu and Kashmir,” said sources, adding that however, the failure of secretariat officials and PWD engineers to process payments efficiently contradicts these statements, prompting calls for stringent action against those responsible for the delays.
Contractors argued that the inefficiency and neglect of these officials are not only hampering development but also jeopardizing their livelihoods. They appealed for immediate intervention from higher authorities to address the bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensure that payments are made on time.
