RAWALAKOT, AJK (Kashmir English): The All Azad Kashmir Contractors Association has strongly protested against the non-payment of dues by the government and announced a complete boycott and closure of government development projects if payments are not made by April 25.
Addressing a press conference at Ghazi Millat Press Club Rawalakot, Central General Secretary Sardar Jameel Alam, District President Sardar Waheed Khan and other leaders said that contractors have not been paid for the last five years, due to which their homes have been deprived of basic necessities.
Others who were present on the occasion included Israr Khan, Qayyum Usmani, Zaheer, Jannat Muhammad, Iftikhar Muhammad, Nisar Khan, Ehtisham Hussain, Muhammad Jabbar, Sarfaraz Khan, Naseer Khan, Shahid Manzoor, Nazim Hussain, Aurangzeb Khan, Chaudhry Muhammad Naseer, Aslam Naqi Khan, Iftikhar Khan and Muhammad Ismail.
They said that if the dues are not paid by April 25, no contractor will work on government projects and a complete boycott will be observed.
They stated that the government is procrastinating, while on the other hand, the public is blaming the contractors for the delays and criticizing them.
Contractor leaders further said that despite the alarming increase in the prices of petroleum products and other items, they are being asked to work at old rates, which, they said, is a sheer injustice.
They informed that tenders worth approximately Rs20 billion are available, but the government has allocated only Rs1.5 billion for development projects.
They alleged that regular funds were released in other districts, while Poonch Division is continuously being ignored. The leaders demanded immediate payment of dues, fair distribution of funds, and urgent resolution of contractors’ problems.
“Otherwise, a protest movement will be launched, and ongoing development work will be completely stopped.”
They said that the construction season has started, and the government should avoid further delays.
During the press conference, the contractors presented their demands in detail, stating that 100% payments should be made for all workers’ wages, which have been pending for the last 3 to 4 years.
They demanded that payments for escalation in ongoing projects under KDP be made immediately and cleared by recording them in MB, as no contractor has been paid under this head so far.
Ongoing projects
Similarly, in ongoing projects under KDP and TKP Phase 12, 13, and 14, where escalation and completion have not been approved, immediate approval should be given so that contractors can complete the work, as heavy labour costs and public funds have already been spent on these projects.
The contractors further said that an increase in tender rates proportionate to the current inflation is indispensable, otherwise contractors cannot afford to complete 100% of the work.
They said that payment should be ensured upon completion of work in ongoing projects under ADP, while in other districts, 50 to 60 percent of funds are allocated, but in Poonch district, only 30 percent is allocated, which is a severe injustice.
They demanded a significant increase in funds for development projects in Poonch so that work is not affected. The leaders clarified that until contractors are paid 100% of their dues and adequate funds are provided for ongoing projects, no contractor will participate in the new tender process in Poonch district.
