Contractors demand payment of bills to activate JJM schemes in Bandipora

Bandipora, Mar 5: The Bandipora Contractors’ Association has called on the government to release pending bills before March 31, ensuring that completed Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) schemes become operational within ten days.

The urgent appeal comes in response to Bandipora MLA Nizamuddin Bhat’s recent Assembly statement claiming the Jal Jeevan Mission was a failure in the district. Association President Naseer Ahmad Mir strongly contested the MLA’s assertions, describing the statement as deeply hurtful to contractors who have invested significant effort in the project.

Mir emphasised that contractors have “poured their blood and sweat” into making the mission successful in Bandipora. He challenged the MLA’s claims and urged the government to form an independent verification committee to assess the actual ground situation.

The contractors argue that pending payments are the primary reason why completed water supply schemes and filtration plants remain non-operational. “If the government releases our outstanding payments, we can get all the schemes running in ten days,” Mir stated.

The association has warned of potential consequences, indicating that contractors will render schemes “dysfunctional” if their dues are not cleared by month’s end.