KL Report
Srinagar
Days before Eid-ul-Fitar, non-availability of funds in government treasuries have left government employees and contractors fuming. Treasuries are running high and dry in Kashmir due to which government employees are without salaries from past several month.
A treasury officer on condition of anonymity told CNS that treasuries across Kashmir are having liability of more than Rs 300 Crores due to which government employees, pensioners and contractors are suffering immensely and are running from pillar to post to get their claims.
“Leave aside daily wagers, even the permanent employees form Social Welfare Department, Urban Local Bodies, and ISM staff are without salaries from past few months,” he said adding that they are only concerned with cash flow management.
One of the contractors told CNS that government has become bankrupt and it does not have funds to pay the liabilities of employees. “How could it pay the bills of contractors when it even doesn’t pay to its permanent employees,” an employee said.
Scores of claimants are complaining that they are awaiting payments for months but everyday they return disappointed. “My General Provident Fund bill is gathering dust as there is no money available in the treasury,” one of the government employees said adding that he was expecting that government would release his payment as Eid is advancing.
Despite repeated attempts, Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather could not be contacted.
