AVINASH AZAD
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Nov 3: Merger of Engineering wing of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) department Jammu in Public Works (R&B) department cast heavily on civil contractors as the payment for works done by them has not been paid.
With the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the hapless contractors are facing more hardships to get streamlined their ailing business and with old payments still pending their problems have aggravated further.
Earlier, the ULB Jammu had three engineering divisions, and the contractors were at least getting timely payments for their completed works. “Prior to winding-up of engineering wing of ULBs in January this year, payment of several contractors to the tune of several crores of rupees were pending due to new financial policy (expenditure reforms)”, said a contractor, adding that J&K Administrative Council on January 29, 2020 had accorded sanction for the abolition of engineering wings of both Directorates of Urban Local Bodies Kashmir and Jammu and had ordered transfer of its manpower to the Jammu Municipal Corporation and Srinagar Municipal Corporation respectively.
The decision was taken prior to clearance of pending payments for the works done by the department. “The process of releasing payment in favor of contractors engaged in civil works for ULBs got stalled, as the government abolished its engineering wing in January without taking care of contractors whose hard earned money was at stake for an unending wait”, said an angry contractor, saying that Prime Minister had promised ‘good days’, but his bureaucracy it seems has failed the promises he made with the public.
Remaining payments of contractors was to be released after March 15, 2020, but after a lapse of seven months still it is a dream for us, said another contractor. At least payment for completed works should be released without any further delay. We have to pay material, labour and other charges for completed works, he added.
“My bills for three completed works were submitted two years back, but payment for the same is awaited yet”, said another contractor, adding that the government should take action against the lethargic Division heads for delaying payment of contractors and penalty should also be imposed on them.
“Process for hand over and take over records regarding works started/completed by the ULB was begun in February this year”, sources in the department said, adding that the government has also granted permission for advanced drawl for payments for contractors.
Director Urban Local Bodies, Jammu Veer Ji Hangloo said that funds are being transferred to PWD for making payments.
Chief Engineer, PWD Jammu, Ashok Kikloo when contacted said that some payments are pending as hand over and take over process has not been completed yet. |
