Contractors protest, lock Jal Shakti office in Bijbehara over pending payments

Anantnag Aug 18: Contractors associated with the Jal Shakti Department on Tuesday staged a protest at the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Division office in Bijbehara, demanding the immediate release of their long-pending payments, deposited amounts and bills for developmental works completed under various government schemes.
As part of the protest, the agitated contractors locked the office of the Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti, Bijbehara, expressing strong resentment over what they described as prolonged official inaction in clearing their outstanding dues.
The contractors said that several works executed by them have remained unpaid for years, with some payments pending since 2019. They said the delay had pushed many members of the contracting community into severe financial distress, as they had already invested substantial amounts in labour, material and other expenses to complete the assigned works.
Abdul Waheed Khan, President of the South Kashmir Contractors Association, said contractors had repeatedly approached the concerned authorities seeking settlement of their dues, but their grievances had not been addressed adequately.
“We have completed the works entrusted to us and fulfilled our responsibilities, but our payments have remained pending for years. How can contractors survive when the money invested in government works is not released on time?” Khan said.
He appealed to the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister and senior officers of the Jal Shakti Department, including the Chief Engineer, to intervene in the matter and ensure that the pending payments are cleared without further delay.
Local contractor Fayaz Ahmad said contractors were facing mounting financial liabilities because of the prolonged withholding of payments.
“We have borrowed money, paid labourers and purchased material to complete these works. Our bills and other legitimate dues are still pending. Many contractors are now struggling to meet even their basic financial obligations,” Ahmad said.
The protesting contractors said timely payment was essential for the smooth functioning of government development works and for sustaining the contracting sector, which employs a large number of people directly and indirectly.
They urged the authorities to release deposited amounts and clear payments against completed works on priority.
The protesters warned that if their outstanding payments were not released at the earliest, they would be left with no option but to intensify their agitation and launch further protests.
“We want a solution, not confrontation. However, if our genuine demands are ignored, we will intensify the agitation,” the contractors said. (KNO)