SRINAGAR: On World Water Day, dozens of contractors working under centrally sponsored scheme National Rural Drinking Water Supply Programme (NRDWSP) have stopped their work in South Kashmir on account of non-payments of dues.
Contractors allege that Superintending Engineer (SE) and Executive Engineer (EE) have received funds from the Central Government but due to unknown reasons they are not being paid their dues.
Both SE and EE however denied the charge that they have received any funds from the Government of India. We have not received any installment from the Central Government, SE, G.M Bhat said while EE, Abdul Qayoom confirmed that out of only one out of three installments have been received by them so far.
According to reports, PHE Division Shopian had started working on various projects under NRDWS in various villages of Pulwama like, Babahar, Chhatarpora, Tengpona, Mashkana and Drusso. Under this scheme the only purpose was to supply pure drinking water to people. Work was allotted to dozens of contractors who after completed more than half of the project work stopped their work on World Water Day.
Executive Engineer despite receiving huge funds from the Government of India has not even given a penny to us. All the funds have been deposited in his personal account and now due to unknown reasons they are giving us impression that these projects dont have any importance, a contractor Mushtaq Ahmed said, adding that the officials have swindled this fund.
Admitting that we have received an installment from the central government, Executive Engineer, Abdul Qayoom said that the money has not got deposited in his personal account. We have received money but that I have not touched it. I am waiting for the consent of Superintending Engineer, he said.
SE, G.M.Bhat denied that any money from the Central Government has been received by the department. We have not received the money and thats it, he said.
Meanwhile, people have shown their displeasure over the stalling of these projects and have warned of protests in case the department did not start work on these projects immediately. (CNS)
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