Kashmiri contractors decry non-payment of pending dues

The Jammu and Kashmir Contractors Coordination Committee (JKCCC) has voiced serious concerns over the non-payment of pending liabilities, urging the government to take immediate action to clear dues, some of which have remained unpaid since 2014.

In a statement, JKCCC chairman Ghulam Jeelani Purza criticised the government for its indecisiveness, stating that despite repeated assurances, a large portion of payments for projects completed under previous administrations, including those led by Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, remains unpaid.

“While contractors in Jammu have received most of their dues, those in Kashmir continue to wait. This is a blatant case of discrimination,” Purza asserted.

He revealed that in 2019, the total outstanding liability stood at Rs 500 crore, equally divided between Jammu and Kashmir divisions. However, while Jammu’s dues have been largely cleared, Kashmiri contractors are still awaiting payments totalling Rs 250 crore. He questioned the government’s commitment to equal development, stating, “If we are part of the same region, why is Kashmir being ignored? We are not against genuine payments to Jammu-based contractors, but why this injustice towards Kashmir?”

Purza also raised concerns about the delayed release of the fourth-quarter budget allocation, warning that if funds are not released within the next few days, they may lapse, just as they did last year. He further highlighted that while payments for ongoing projects have been processed, pending liabilities remain unresolved, adding to the financial distress of contractors.

Appealing to J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, and senior financial and administrative officials, Purza urged immediate intervention to resolve the crisis. “Contractors are the backbone of J&K’s infrastructure development. If their payments are not cleared, not only will ongoing projects suffer, but future investments will also be discouraged,” he emphasised.

The JKCCC has also urged legislators to raise this issue in the ongoing Assembly session, hoping for urgent action to ensure that contractors receive their long-overdue payments.