Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 5: Contractors Association Jammu Province (CAJP) has said that contractors could not participate in the tender process initiated by the Flood Control Department (Jal Shakti) under SASCI component due to unfair conditions imposed by the authorities.
Addressing a press conference here today members of the Association said that contractors’ fraternity is unhappy with the behavior of the officials of the Hydraulic Wing of the Jal Shakti Department. They said Flood Control department, invited tenders for the works under SASCI component, whose funds will be available up to August 2026 only, and after that no contractor will claim his dues as per the conditions of the NIT. They said the position of AAA and TS is currently under process.
General secretary of the Association, Vinod Kohli pointed out that the funds are approved under SASCI but not released to the department so far. They said the rules of Geology & Mining Department clearly state that no mining activity is allowed from July Ist to September 30. Since these works are of protection nature and need material from the rivers and Nallahs, under no circumstances these works could be executed up to June 30 and moreover, as per conditions, no funds will be released after August 31.
In view of these very unfair and unjustified conditions, the Association has taken a decision not to participate in the tender process as they will be in massive financial loss. Any contractor participating in the work will be at high risk and the Association will not be responsible, Kohli added.
Referring to the incident of Bantalab near Jammu where three labourers were killed at a bridge site, Association appealed to the Govt to release some amount to their kith and kin from the funds contributed as labour cess by the contractors as poor and hapless contractor can not afford to pay from his own pocket. He said the contractors are still waiting for the release of their payments worth over Rs 1200 crores of JJM works from the last two years and also pending liability of 2017 to 2019, but the Govt is still unmoved.
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