| We have halted all developmental works till bills are not cleared: JKPCCC | | Contractors padlock Engineering Complex, set April 20 as deadline | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Apr 5: The contractors who worked tirelessly to revamp and renovate the collapsed roads, bridges, buildings and other works, after the September 2014 floods, are now on the streets demanding release of their pending bills.
After making things in order, instead of any encouragement, these contractors have been pushed to the wall.
And one such example of their helplessness was seen at Engineering Complex at Rajbagh, where the protesting contractors under Jammu and Kashmir Contractors Coordination Committee (JKCCC) padlocked the complex which houses the offices of four chief engineers of PHE, R&B, I&FC and PMGSY.
Led by Ghulam Jeelani Purza, the contractors assembled at the main gate of the complex at around 9am and locked the main gate.
"We have been running from pillar to post to get our payments released. We were given assurances only to buy time. The official apathy has forced us to take to the streets," said a contractor.
According to the contractors, the government owes them Rs 1100 crores.
"R&B owes Rs 475 crores to us while estates department Rs 60 crore, Irrigation and Flood Control Rs 140 crore and PHE Rs 135 crores," he added.
He said that besides these payments, the contractors took repairing of vital roads and bridges after September 2014 floods on war footing basis on the directions of authorities.
Later, the chief engineers of R&B and PHE assured the contractors that their genuine demands will be raised with the new government and the concerned ministers and will be settled till April 20. After these assurances, the contractors called off the protest, but said that all the development related works will be halted till April 20.
"If even after that the bills are not released, they will go on a massive stir against the government," the contractors said. |
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