SRINAGAR: Non-availability of funds at government treasuries has left government employees and contractors fuming.
Sources said that treasuries across Kashmir are having a liability of more than Rs 770 crore while treasury officers blame the outgoing National Conference-Congress Coalition Government for all the mess.
Reports said that employees both serving and retired as well as the contractors have been facing tough time as treasuries are running dry in Kashmir due to which employees of many departments are without salaries.
A treasury officer on condition of anonymity told CNS that treasuries across Kashmir are having liability of more than Rs 750 crore due to which government employees, pensioners and contractors are suffering and are running from pillar to post to get their claims released. He added that NC-Congress Government made the State almost bankrupt in last six years. To cope up with emergencies like the one prevailing at present when treasuries are unable to honor bills, the J&K Bank would have served the State, but the out-going government by handing over its debt management and overdraft facility to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) deprived the State of its last resort, he said.
Reports said that daily rated workers aside, even the permanent employees form Social Welfare, Education Department, Urban Local Bodies, and ISM staff are without salaries.
Insiders in Finance and Planning Department said that State has failed to pay the pending bills worth Rs 700 crore to retired employees and Rs 21 crore to contractors. They added that GP Fund bills worth Rs 49 crore are pending form past year as a result the claimants have been suffering badly.
A contractor said the government has no funds even to pay for the works which have already been executed by the contractors.
Scores of claimants are complaining that they are awaiting payments for months together but everyday they return disappointed from the treasuries.
My General Provident Fund bill is gathering dust as there is no money available in the treasury, an employee said, adding that he was expecting that government would release his payment shortly after the assembly elections.
When contacted a treasury official said that situation will change once they receive funds from the Central Government and all the pending bills will be released in coming days. (CNS)
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