Srinagar Apr 03 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani on Tuesday decried withholding of payment to contractors, saying withholding of payments under one pretext or another is causing great distress to their families.
In a statement released from the party headquarters Nawai Subha, Nasir said withholding of funds was leading contractors to hardship ahead of Eid ul Fitr.
"It is lamentable to know that a significant portion of allocated funds has lapsed, plunging our contractors into distress.Government's failure to ensure timely disbursement has resulted in undue suffering and financial strain to these vital stakeholders of nation's development.Despite numerous submissions & requisite demands made from time to time, these payments remain outstanding, posing a significant challenge to the contractors."
Payment delays, Nasir said have dampened ongoing Ramzan fervour and will affect Eid celebration if the issue remains unattended. "Families of these contractors might face many constraints in celebrating the festival in case the payments are not disbursed prior to the observance of the upcoming Eid observance."
Expressing solidarity with the aggrieved contractors, Nasir said, "It is imperative that the government takes immediate and decisive action to mitigate the sufferings of aggrieved contractors by ensuring the release of funds before Eid. More so accountability needs to be fixed in handling public funds in future."(KNS)