BASHARAT RASHID
Pulwama: Contractors who have carried various works under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) in Tral expressed resentment against Rural Development authorities for its failure to release outstanding payments.
The contractors said due to non-payment they are facing immense problems. “Labourers are making rounds to get payment while our families also face tough time,” they said.
The contractors are from Zrarihar, Chatrogam, Machama, Chewa Ullar, Nagbal, Panner, Bhatnoor, Nahir and Gulshanpora.
They said that they are without the payments from last “two years” and despite approaching concerned authorities, their pleas are being ignored.
“Our payments are being withheld from last two years. We approached the authorities several times but unfortunately, our pleas fall into the deaf ears,” a contractor Audil Ashraf Bhat said.
He said that they have done all the works, sanctioned by RDD, successfully but “despite that authorities seems very reluctant to release the due payments.”
When contacted Block Development Officer, Tral Sub District, Primrose Bashir rejected that the payments are pending from last 2 years.”Not two years but the payments of this year are pending.
Funds are coming and shall be accordingly released in favour of the contractors against the work done,” Primrose said.
