Early Times Report
JAMMU, Oct 14: Military Engineering Services (MES) Builders Association has said that they are facing huge problems owing to non-payment of dues by the MES.
"Ours is an association of builders executing works of Ministry of Defence. At present, we are having 73 branches all over the country with membership of more than 6000 prominent builders. Ours is the only association in India recognized by the Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India. We are having eight regions viz. Central-A, Central-B, Eastern, Northern, Southern (N), Southern (S), South-West and Southern. Every region is headed by a Vice President," said Vice President MES Builders Association Northern Region.
The Northern Region consists of leading builders of eight branches in the region. These include Baramulla, Jammu, Leh, Kargil, Pathankot, Srinagar, Udhampur and Yol.
"We wish to bring to your kind notice that our builder members all over the country are facing severe problems due to non-payment of dues from Military Engineer Services (MES). This problem is of perpetual nature. Last year the same problem arose and the matter was taken up by all branches with the Department officers at their stations and by our Headquarter with the Engineer-in-Chief, Raksha Rajya Mantri, Raksha Mantri and with PMO Office as well. However, no relief was provided by the Government. Builders had also observed one day token strike on February 1 all over the country to fulfill their demands," said Vice-President.
The Vice-President said that backlog amounting to Rs 1600 crores got accumulated up to March 31, 2018. During the current financial year funds were released as per budget of current year. However maximum amount has been utilized in clearing the backlog of financial year. Now again payment to contractors is not being made due to shortage of funds, due to which contractors are unable to progress the work. As per our assessment there is a liability of approximately Rs 1200-1400 crores to be released immediately.
As we all are aware that festive season has already begun, Durga Pooja and Diwali are very near, therefore we request to raise our this issue of shortage of funds to get additional funds released immediately so that builders and workers and their dependents can celebrate festivals incase funds are not released immediately there will be no other option with builders to stop all the ongoing works and go on indefinite strike throughout the country against their wish," said Vice President. |
