Contractors threaten boycott of tenders over delayed payments, budget neglect

Srinagar, Mar : Contractors have issued a warning to the government that they will boycott tenders if their demands remain unaddressed. The Jammu and Kashmir Central Contractors Coordination Committee (JKCCCC) visited Kupwara district on Saturday as part of a North-South outreach programme aimed at addressing issues faced by contractors in the region.

Led by JKCCCC General Secretary Farooq Dar, the delegation expressed strong dissatisfaction over the government's failure to address contractors' concerns, particularly regarding delayed payments and difficulties in the tendering process. Dar criticized the recent budget for failing to meet contractors' expectations.

"Both the ruling government and the opposition have ignored contractors' issues, despite both parties highlighting contractors' work as a key issue during election campaigns," Dar said.

He raised concerns over a shortage of construction materials, delayed payments, and problems within the tendering process, warning that contractors would have no option but to initiate a tender boycott if these issues weren't resolved.

Dar also cautioned that contractors bidding 40-50% below advertised prices for public tenders pose a significant risk to construction quality. "Tenders are typically based on estimates from experts and engineers, and such low bids could compromise work quality," he explained. While the government may view this as cost-saving, he argued it would ultimately lead to higher long-term expenses due to future repairs.

The JKCCCC proposed several reforms, including exempting tenders up to 10 lakh rupees from e-tendering and allowing tenders up to 5 crore rupees to be condition-free to protect smaller contractors.

"Contractors are an essential part of the development process and should be treated with respect and cooperation to ensure the completion of public infrastructure projects to the highest standards," Dar concluded.