Banswara, April 16: Contractors in Banswara expressed their frustration outside the Public Works Department (PWD) office on Wednesday. Upset over pending payments, rising costs, and alleged corruption, the contractors staged a protest, blocking the main gate. Under the banner of the District Contractors Association, they raised slogans and created a ‘lockdown’ atmosphere against the department.
During the protest, a heated exchange occurred between the contractors and the Superintending Engineer (SE) of the department. The contractors sat on the stairs of the main building, accusing officials of delaying payments for months. They asserted that officials remain entangled in paperwork while ignoring ground realities.
Key Demands Include Payment and Transparency
Devenderpal Singh, the secretary of the association, stated that a ten-point memorandum was submitted to the Executive Engineer. The demands include the immediate release of pending payments, transparency in the tender process, and payments adjusted according to rising costs. He noted that due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, prices of asphalt, diesel, and steel have tripled, making it unfeasible to work at old rates.
Concerns Over Treasury Process and Corruption Allegations
The contractors alleged that the process of passing bills in the treasury is complicated and riddled with corruption, leading to months-long delays in payments. They also claimed that disputes related to electricity, forest department, and drinking water pipelines should be resolved by the department, instead of being shifted onto the contractors.
Delays in NOC Increasing Costs
According to the contractors, obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from various departments can take 2 to 3 years, effectively doubling project costs. They pointed out that payments for entire projects are withheld due to minor deficiencies found during inspections, when only the payment for the specific work should be stopped.
Frustration Over Blacklisting Threats
The contractors also accused the department of exerting mental pressure by threatening to ‘debar’ and ‘blacklist’ them. Allegations were made that some contractors are being deliberately targeted. During the protest, they warned that if their demands are not positively addressed soon, they would escalate their movement further.