Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 8: Senior Congress leader and DDC Member Suchetgarh, Taranjit Singh Tony, today came down heavily on the Government over the prolonged delay in releasing payments to contractors under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), warning that many are facing bankruptcy due to non-payment of dues for the last nine months.
During a public interaction in Suchetgarh, Tony said that even top-tier (A-Class) contractors have completed nearly 90% of the work-including digging tubewells and constructing overhead tanks-yet have not received a single rupee in payment. “Contractors are caught in a vicious cycle of bank loans and interest burdens. They are now working only to repay debts,” he said.
Citing official norms, Tony pointed out that contract clauses mandate payments within one month of completion. “This is being blatantly violated. Instead of honoring agreements, the Government is exploiting contractors,” he alleged.
He also drew attention to what he described as “the biggest scam in J&K-the HDEP pipe scam.” He accused the administration of shielding senior officials allegedly involved in the scam while targeting small and mid-level contractors. “The real culprits sit comfortably in the Civil Secretariat, untouched,” he claimed.
Raising concern over the deteriorating infrastructure, Tony said tubewell sites are vulnerable to theft due to lack of manpower and security. “There are no technicians or even chowkidars posted. Costly wiring and equipment are being stolen routinely,” he added.
He further slammed the implementation of the Centre’s flagship ‘Har Ghar Nal Se Jal’ scheme, calling it a “total failure” in Jammu and Kashmir. “There’s no planning, no manpower, no funding. Most water schemes are dry due to lack of connectivity and basic repairs,” he said.
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