PMGSY Contractors blame non-release of funds for delayed projects

TURA: Contractors who have been allotted works under PMGSY in Garo Hills have blamed non-release of sufficient funds as the main reason for delay in their already started projects as well as the non-payment of complete bills by the concerned authority for works already completed.
“The earlier recommended project cost for PMGSY works for the entire state of Meghalaya was set at Rs 250,00,00,000/- (Rupees Two Hundred Fifty Crores) for the year 2015-16. Unfortunately, it is learnt that project estimated at only Rs 106,00,00,000/- (Rupees One Hundred and Six Crores) has been sanctioned out of which project estimate of Rs 67,00,00,000/- (Rupees Sixty Seven Crores) was released and the balance of Rs 39,00,00,000/- (Rupees Thirty Nine Crores) is yet to be released. Such lackadaisical approach of the authorities in the release of funds has placed us in a serious financial crunch to continue with the projects,” Rikchi A Sangma, the Organizing and Publicity Secretary of the All Garo Hills PMGSY Contractors Union said in a complaint submitted to the Secretary cum Empowered Officer of SRRDA in Shillong.
The union said the financial delay they were facing was greatly affecting the works on the projects due to the ever ominous price escalation which is being witnessed day by day. They blamed it on such financial irregularities for directly impacting the quality and standard of work.
Adding to their worries the contractors revealed that only 20% of the billed amounts have been released so far by the concerned authority for completed work. They wondered why cent per cent amount for completed works under the scheme could not be released. “We have been left with no other option but to stop our ongoing work as there has been no immediate solution to our problems. Such financial irregularities, assessment of work site as per SQM/NQM standards/norms would yield no satisfactory result in any of the nature of works ongoing in the present scenario of PMGSY works,” they added and appealed to the concerned authority to find a solution to the problem in the interest of all those involved.