Imphal, October 28 2008: The All Manipur PWD Contractors' Association has demanded release of bills for all the completed works ahead of the Ningol Chakkouba festival.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, secretary of the PWD contractors' association Th Somorendro alleged that out of Rs 19.24 crores sanctioned by the Central Government for maintenance of roads and bridges during the last fiscal of 2007-08, only Rs 9.08 crores were utilised while the remaining amount of about Rs 10 crores have been misused by the Works Department.

Moreover, due amount under the 12th Finance Commission has also been misappropriated without ever releasing it.

Out of Rs 10 crores sanctioned under Plan and Non-Plan heads during 2007-08, only Rs 3 crores were released while the remaining Rs 7 crores were added to the Civil Deposit.

As such the amount still lay unutilised till date, Somorendro disclosed.

Due bills amounting to Rs 200 crores sanctioned for construction of roads and buildings under both Plan and Non-Plan heads till 2006 remain unpaid till date.

This failure of the authority concerned to release bills has been causing severe difficulties to contractors, he said while appealing to the Government to release bills for the completed works before the Ningol Chakkouba festival.

In case the Government fails to clear the due bills before Ningol Chakkouba, the contractors will launch various forms of agitation including keeping off all the works/projects listed in the new work programme.

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