J&K Contractors Coordination Committee demands immediate payment release in Jal Jeevan Mission & R&B

• Raises concerns over r&b department’s functioning

SRINAGAR: The Jammu & Kashmir Contractors Coordination Committee (JKCCC) has strongly urged the administration to immediately release long-pending payments owed to contractors working under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and other government projects. The Committee highlighted the severe financial crisis faced by local contractors due to non-payment of funds for the past two years, despite their work being completed on time.

In a statement issued to the press, JKCCC Chairman Ghulam Jeelani Purza expressed disappointment over the administration's failure to honor its commitments. “The government had announced an expenditure of Rs 10,000 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme in Jammu & Kashmir. Initially, tenders were floated, making it difficult for local contractors to qualify. However, at that time, the government called us for intervention and encouragement. We participated actively and completed the projects as per the given time. As of now, J&K contractors have executed work worth Rs 1,500 crore under JJM and have successfully completed 15 major projects. Unfortunately, despite assurances, our payments remain stuck, causing severe distress to contractors,” he stated.

Purza further lamented that over Rs 400 crore owed to J&K contractors remains unpaid. “This delay is unjustifiable and has put contractors in a financial crisis. With the holy month of Ramadan ongoing, our contractors are struggling due to a lack of funds. I appeal to the J&K Government, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary Shaleen Kabra and all concerned authorities to ensure that these payments are released without any further delay,” he added.

The JKCCC Chairman also pointed out the alleged discrimination against Kashmir-based contractors compared to their counterparts in Jammu. “Before 2019, funds for these schemes were readily available. Now, despite the government’s claims that financial allocations exist, payments worth Rs 250 crore for Kashmir-based contractors are still pending. Why is there discrimination? Jammu-based contractors have received their payments, with only Rs 17 crore still pending, whereas our bills are gathering dust,” he questioned.

JKCCC Senior Executive Member Amin Raina raised serious concerns about the functioning of the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department. He highlighted that the department is facing an acute shortage of technical staff and Superintending Engineers (SEs). “Several key positions remain vacant, and instead of fresh recruitment, existing officials are being given additional posts and responsibilities. This has resulted in a severe administrative backlog. Development projects across J&K are suffering due to this negligence. The lack of technical oversight is causing unnecessary project delays, and to date, no substantial progress has been made on several major works,” he said.

Raina urged the J&K Government, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, who oversees the R&B Department, to take immediate corrective measures. “If urgent action is not taken to fill vacant posts and streamline pending payments, development in Jammu & Kashmir will continue to suffer,” he said.

The JKCCC has called on the authorities to address these critical issues without delay to ensure the seamless execution of developmental projects and to protect the interests of local contractors who have played a vital role in the region’s progress.