Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 15: MES Builders Association has demanded immediate release of payments in their favour in view of the festival season which has already set in.
Talking to reporters here, today vice president of Northern Region of the Association Karan Kapoor along with its other office bearers and members said that the MES Builders are in a state of desperation due to failure of the Department to release their payments for the works executed by them or those works which are under execution.
He said there is a liability of 1200- 1400 crore all over the country with MES due to non availability of funds.
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He said as festival season has already started, Durga Puja has begun and Diwali and Dusherra are very near so the Association appeals the authorities to release the additional funds to the MES immediately for making the payments to hapless builders all over the country so that they and their dependents can celebrate festivals.
Kapoor said in case the funds are not released immediately the builders will be constrained to stop the ongoing works and go on indefinite strike throughout the country.
He said earlier the Association held a one day tool down strike on February 1, this year all over the country for fulfillment of its demands.
He said earlier there was a backlog of Rs 1600 crore up to March 31 this year. During the current financial year, funds were released as per budget of current year. However maximum amount from this have been utilized in clearing the backlog of last financial year. Later the payment of contractors’ was not made after the funds exhausted due to which contractors are unable to show progress at the work.
Kapoor said Association has 73 branches all over the country with membership of over 6000 prominent builders. It is the only Association in the country recognized by the Ministry of Defence (GoI).The Association is working in eight regions viz Central-A, Central B, Eastern, Northern , Southern (N), Southern (S), South West & Southern.
He said every region is headed by vice president.
Kapoor said he is heading the North Region and leading the builders of eight branches viz, Baramulla, Jammu, Leh, Kargil, (Ladakh) Pathankot, (Punjab) Srinagar , Udhampur & Yol (HP).
He said the non payment of dues from Military Engineer Service (MES) has become a problem of perpetual nature and needs immediate redressal.
He said the last year the same problem arise and the issue was taken up by all branches with the Department officers at their stations and at its Headquarter with the Engineer -in -Chief , Mos Defence and with PMO as well. However no relief was provided by the Government.
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