SICOP Criticised for Delays in Handloom, Handicraft Projects; Contractors Fear Fund Lapse

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Small Scale Industries Development Corporation (SICOP), functioning under the Industries and Commerce Department, has come under sharp criticism for delaying the issuance of tenders for key infrastructure projects in the Handloom and Handicrafts Department, despite administrative approval being granted.

The projects include the alteration of the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir building in Srinagar and the construction of a new office headquarters for the Assistant Director of Handloom and Handicrafts in Kupwara. Together, the works are estimated to cost nearly Rs 4 crore.

Contractors allege that SICOP is dragging its feet even though funds and technical clearances are already in place. The Srinagar project, estimated at Rs 36 lakh, was initially allotted to a contractor without floating an e-tender in July. Following protests from the contractor community, SICOP cancelled the allotment, but has since failed to issue fresh tenders.

Local contractors in both Srinagar and Kupwara have expressed resentment over the delay, warning that if tenders are not floated soon, funds could lapse and winter conditions will halt any possibility of carrying out the work.

President of the JK Contractors Association, Farooq Ahmad Dar, accused the corporation of mishandling the process. “The delay is raising suspicions that the work may be handed to blue-eyed contractors in violation of established rules. If the tenders are not issued immediately, both contractors and the projects will suffer. I will take up this matter with higher authorities,” Dar said.

Sources within the Handloom and Handicrafts Department confirmed that funding and technical clearances are not holding back the projects. “The holdup is entirely on SICOP’s end. They have remained unresponsive despite repeated follow-ups,” said one official.

Contractors said the delay has fuelled speculation of backdoor allotments. “Once administrative approval is given, the next step is to float tenders. What is SICOP waiting for?” asked a Kupwara-based contractor, requesting anonymity.

Repeated attempts to get comments from SICOP officials were unsuccessful. [KNT]