MGNREGA contractors in Shopian face prolonged payment delays, suffer financially

Shopian, Oct 13: Numerous MGNREGA contractors in south Kashmir's Shopian block have not received payments for over a year, leaving them in a challenging financial situation.

The contractors stated that payments for work completed 6 to 12 months ago are still pending.

They alleged that the relevant authorities are deliberately delaying payments to at least seven Halqas, including Tangawani, Balpora, Keegam, Nazimora, and Trenz.

Khursheed Ahmad, a contractor, said that due to non-payment of their bills, they are forced to borrow money from friends, relatives, and acquaintances to cover their daily expenses.

He mentioned that he has not received any payment in the last six months, prompting him to seek menial jobs.

Mohammad Ayoub, another contractor, said, "Many of us are reeling under a financial crisis due to the non-payment of bills for the past year."

Similarly, Bashir Ahamad and several other contractors from Keegam, Tangawani, and Trenz expressed similar concerns over the prolonged delay in their payments, which has affected their livelihoods.

One frustrated contractor told Greater Kashmir that during the Lok Sabha elections, he was compelled to work double shifts to complete a project, yet he still has not received any payment.

He noted that they have raised the issue with the concerned Block Development Officer (BDO) multiple times, but to no avail.

"Our workers and laborers are also facing hardships due to unpaid bills," the contractor said.

Some contractors made serious allegations against the officials, claiming that they demanded a cut from the payments.

"Only those contractors who grease their palms receive payments," they stated.

Block Development Officer (BDO) Shakeel Ahmad told Greater Kashmir over the phone that payments are released based on existing liabilities.

"If a panchayat has more liabilities, more funds are released," the official explained.