By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 2: The Khasi Jaintia Government Contractors and Suppliers Association (KJGC&SA) on Tuesday urged the state government to release at least 50 per cent of pending bills under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to provide immediate relief to local contractors. The outstanding dues reportedly amount to over Rs 900 crore.
A delegation of the association met Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma at his official residence and submitted a memorandum highlighting delayed payments and the exclusion of local firms due to current tendering practices.
KJGC&SA vice-president FD Ramsiej told reporters that the Chief Minister acknowledged the financial hardship faced by contractors and indicated that the government would explore using state funds to clear a portion of the dues.
Ramsiej explained that the delay in JJM payments is linked to compliance requirements and guidelines set by the Union Ministry, which the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department is still fulfilling. The Chief Minister reportedly assured the delegation that he would raise the matter during the NITI Aayog meeting on June 11 and bring the concerns of Meghalaya’s contractors to the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The association also expressed concern over the “package system” of tendering, particularly in the Public Works Department (PWD). Ramsiej argued that many local contractors lack the financial capacity to participate in large-scale package tenders and urged the government to avoid this system for state-funded schemes.
KJGC&SA president Welcome Langi stated that the association is seeking a unified resolution to the payment crisis. While the Chief Minister did not commit to a specific timeline or percentage, he assured the group that he would consult with PHE Minister Marcuise N Marak and senior officials to expedite the process.
In its memorandum, the association further called for greater transparency, the cessation of “close tenders,” and an end to the practice of executing road works without formal sanction orders. They argued that splitting large projects into smaller components would ensure fairer opportunities for local firms.
