Check dam works stalled in Kutch, GoI responsible, says Contractors

Bhuj

Rs. 76 crore Construction work of 40 major check dams in Kutch district of Gujarat has been stalled due to non-payment of bills. Local contractors blame central government for this.

The government of India had under 13th finance commission approved Rs. 76 crore to build check dams in Kutch. Accordingly, construction of 40 major check dams had started. However since Diwali time, grant has not been released by central government, and Rs. 40-50 lakh payment is pending. The contractors have stopped further construction.

Contractors say when they approached the government for non-payment of bills, they were told that Government of India’s decision to replace Planning Commission with some new body is responsible for this situation. The central government has put brakes on ongoing works approved by 13th Finance Commission, which has also affected check dam construction in Kutch.