Bandipora, August 18(KNS): Contractors who executed works under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) on Tuesday padlocked the office of the Executive Engineer, PHE Bandipora, demanding immediate clearance of their long-pending liabilities.

 

The protest was led by the Contractors Association Bandipora President, Naseer Ahmad Mir, who said contractors had executed JJM works in good faith following the launch of the ambitious national initiative to provide tap water to every rural household.

 

“When the Jal Jeevan Mission was launched across the country, contractors worked with full commitment after the Prime Minister pledged to provide tap water to every household,” Mir said.

 

He alleged that despite several schemes having been completed and made operational, payments to contractors have remained pending for the past two-and-a-half to three years, causing severe financial hardship to the contractor community.

 

“Many schemes were constructed by us, and the government is receiving revenue from them, but the contractor community is bearing the brunt,” he said.

 

Mir said contractors had been compelled to purchase construction material on credit and take loans against their properties to execute the works.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

 

“We have reached an age where our children are pursuing higher education. God alone knows how our families have survived for the past two-and-a-half to three years. We took materials on credit, and our properties are mortgaged with banks. We have virtually been pushed to the brink,” he said.

 

Questioning the scrutiny being raised over the executed works, Mir challenged the administration to conduct physical verification of the schemes on the ground before withholding payments.

 

“If you are sincere, come to Bandipora first, inspect our work and release our payments. If we have delivered quality work and provided water to the people, why should our families suffer?” he said.

 

The contractors warned that continued delay in the settlement of their pending liabilities could force them to intensify their agitation and take further steps.

 

They appealed to the concerned authorities to intervene immediately and ensure the release of legitimate dues, stating that contractors who executed the works should not be made to suffer indefinitely for delayed payments.(KNS).