Srinagar: The Liabilities in Kashmir wing of Roads and Building department has accumulated to 300 crore and the government has so far failed to clear them due to paucity of funds.
Highly placed sources in the R&B department told KNS on Tuesday that it is shocking to learn that such huge liability of 300 crore has been created in the department, something beyond the means of the state.
Sources said on the contrary not much have been spent on any major development especially in the macdamization of rods in Kashmir valley from last almost four month due to unrest.
According to the informed sources the total liability was created on newly introduced programmes like Macadamisation of roads taken up under ‘Cities & Towns’, Tourist Destinations’ and those in Projectisation mode.
Admitting that liabilities have accumulated in R&B department, the newly appointed Chief Engineer Kashmir Hamid Shiek told KNS that the government is in the process of releasing the funds to accommodate the liabilities. “I have just joined the department but yes it is true that liabilities have accumulated in the department,” the chief engineer said and added that the issue is in the consideration of the government.
One of the contractors said that that the liability has accumulated and Government is unable to clear the same forcing the contractors to come to streets.
He said some contractors who have executed the works are so hard pressed that they have mortgaged their houses to seek loan for making payments to laborers etc.
“Contractors in Kashmir are facing tough time. It is very difficult for us to manage our day to day affairs due to non-payment by the government,” he said, adding that after floods the Government had asked them to undertake repair of roads and bridges which had been washed away by the floods and “within no time the contractors undertook construction activities and restored communication links, But in return, we have been let down by the Government.
They said that the then Minister for Roads and Buildings, Syed Altaf Bukhari had assured them that the Government would release payments, but that promise has also not been fulfilled. (KNS)
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