Jammu Kashmir Contractors Welcome HC Ruling on Timely Payments, Urge Govt to Clear Pending Dues

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Contractors Coordination Committee (JKCCC) has hailed as “historic” the recent judgment of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh directing the Government to ensure the timely release of contractors’ payments within 60 days of bill submission, once all formalities are completed.

Under the chairmanship of Ghulam Jeelani Purza, the committee described the ruling as a landmark intervention that restores faith in governance and promises accountability and transparency for thousands of contractors who have long been awaiting their dues. The judgment, according to JKCCC, has rekindled hope among contractors struggling for years to receive their legitimate payments despite having completed critical public works.

Chairman Jeelani Purza said the decision directly addressed the hardships faced by contractors due to the withholding of payments on flimsy grounds. “The Hon’ble High Court has rightly pointed out that excuses like lack of funds or post-facto objections cannot be used to delay payments once the work has been executed as per the contract. This is a much-needed relief for contractors who have been suffering silently despite completing important public projects,” he noted.

The JKCCC has appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to implement the High Court’s order without delay and ensure release of all pending dues, some of which date back to 2014. Purza revealed that payments worth around Rs 175 crore remain stuck in the Roads and Buildings Department and other departments despite the completion of projects. “These dues represent the sweat and toil of contractors who delivered vital infrastructure. Keeping such payments pending for years is unjust,” he said.

The committee also flagged the crisis in the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), where contractors have reportedly gone unpaid for nearly a year despite finishing their assignments. Purza estimated that more than Rs 1,100 crore is outstanding under JJM, a backlog that has not only caused severe financial distress to contractors but also slowed down essential public welfare works. “We strongly urge the Government to clear JJM dues immediately and ensure future bills are settled within the time frame set by the Hon’ble High Court,” he added.

The JKCCC further pointed out administrative bottlenecks within the Roads and Buildings Department, particularly vacant posts of Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers and other key officials. Though promotions have been made, the committee said, many officers are yet to be assigned their posts, leading to delays in file processing, project execution and payments. “Ultimately, both the general public and contractors are the main sufferers,” Purza remarked.

He stressed that the High Court had now laid down a framework for accountability by holding officials personally responsible for undue delays. “This clause must be enforced in letter and spirit so that contractors are no longer harassed or forced to wait for years after completing their work,” he said.

The JKCCC expressed optimism that the administration will act swiftly to implement the judgment, bringing much-needed relief to the contractor community. “This is not just about contractors,” Purza concluded. “It is about public infrastructure, development and the dignity of governance. Timely payments will strengthen trust and accelerate progress in Jammu and Kashmir.”