SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Contractors Coordination Committee (JKCCC) has made a fervent appeal to the administration for the immediate release of long-pending payments owed to contractors. Citing acute financial distress and the upcoming festival of Eid-ul-Adha, the committee stressed that the delay is not only hurting livelihoods but also threatening the continuity of key public works.
Speaking to the press, JKCCC Chairman Ghulam Jeelani Purza revealed that no payments have been cleared since April 1, 2025, despite repeated assurances and mounting dues under flagship government schemes. He said contractors who executed critical infrastructure under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) have not received any payment for months, some even for years.
“The Jal Jeevan Mission was billed as a high-priority national programme, yet we haven’t been paid since August 2024,” said Purza. “Many contractors have borrowed heavily to meet work deadlines, and now we are facing a grave financial crisis.”
He also urged the government to release contractors’ performance securities and bill deposits as interim relief—a request formally made last year but yet to see action.
Adding to the discontent is the delay in the release of the 2025–26 Capex Budget, which is typically announced in March or April. “With June approaching, the Capex funds are still not released, and even the pending 25 per cent of last year’s budget—earmarked for early disbursement—has not been cleared,” Purza said.
The JKCCC has urged Finance Secretary Shailendra Kumar and Principal Secretary, Jal Shakti Department, Shaleen Kabra, to address the issue on priority. An appeal was also made to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary to intervene and ensure timely payments to the contractor community.
Senior JKCCC members from across Kashmir, including leaders from Baramulla, Kulgam, Sopore, and Kupwara, participated in the meeting and jointly demanded a resolution in a time-bound manner to prevent further setbacks to public development and contractor livelihoods.
