SRINAGAR: Contractors delayed the commencement of 36 out of 44 sampled schemes and works in Jammu and Kashmir by between two and 387 days, after excluding the seven-day period permitted under the terms of allotment orders, a government audit has found.
The findings are contained in the Composite Audit Report (Civil) for the period ended March 2024, which reviewed records relating to the execution of works in various divisions and districts.
According to the audit, the allotment orders required contractors to commence work within seven days of the issuance of the order. However, examination of records showed that works under 36 of the 44 sampled schemes were started beyond the prescribed period.
The delays ranged from two days to 387 days. Of the 36 schemes affected, 15 had delays of up to 30 days, eight recorded delays between 31 and 100 days, while 13 works were started more than 100 days late.
The highest delays were recorded in Anantnag’s Bijbehara Division, where 10 schemes had delays ranging from 23 to 387 days. Six of these works were delayed by more than 100 days, two by between 31 and 100 days and two by up to 30 days.
In Qazigund Division of Anantnag, all four sampled schemes faced delays ranging from 56 to 318 days. Three had delays exceeding 100 days, while one was delayed by between 31 and 100 days.
In Kishtwar Division, five of the 10 sampled schemes were delayed by up to 30 days, two by 31 to 100 days and three by more than 100 days. The delays ranged from 12 to 203 days.
The Doda Division recorded delays in all seven sampled schemes, ranging from two to 15 days, with all seven falling within the up-to-30-day category.
In Gandoh Division of Doda, three sampled schemes recorded delays ranging from 27 to 64 days. One was delayed by up to 30 days and two by between 31 and 100 days.
Kulgam Division recorded delays ranging from 85 to 111 days across two sampled schemes. One was delayed by between 31 and 100 days and the other by more than 100 days.
The Department, in its reply in August 2025, accepted the audit findings but attributed delays in some schemes to circumstances beyond the control of the Department or executing contractors.
It cited slow supply of pipe materials, difficulties in mobilisation at work sites and the need to obtain prior permissions from Roads and Buildings and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana divisions among the factors contributing to the delayed commencement of works.
The audit observations were based on divisional records and covered 44 sampled schemes and works across Doda, Kishtwar, Kulgam and Anantnag districts.
