Contractors await 20% pending RDD payments for works completed in Ramban

Banihal, Oct 15: Contractors working with the Rural Development Department (RDD) in Ramban district are facing severe financial distress due to the department’s failure to release 20 percent of their pending payments for works completed at the Panchayat level.

Contractors from the Ramsoo block said that they had completed various panchayat level works in 2023 after proper tendering.

“But for the past two years, the department has withheld 20 percent of our dues without any justification, causing serious hardships for us,” they alleged.

Khursheed Ahmad Nayak, one of the contractors, said, “The post of BDO Ramsoo has remained vacant for nearly a year and the BDO Ramban has been given additional charge of the block. However, he rarely visits Ramsoo thus the issue of pending payments remains unresolved.”

Local contractors of RDD block Ramsoo also accused the clerical staff at the Ramsoo office of making excuses and deliberately delaying their cases, forcing them to return disappointed after repeated visits.

When contacted, Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Ramban, Ishfaq Khanji told Greater Kashmir, “The release of the 20 percent pending payments falls under the jurisdiction of the respective Block Development Officers.”

“This amount has been withheld as part of the 20 percent retention from their bills. We will issue necessary directions to the concerned officers to ensure timely release of payments,” the official assured.