In response to protest by contractors on March 18
Works Minister spells out fiscal state of PWD
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 19 2021: Hours after contractors staged a protest demonstration in front of the Public Works Department office complex yesterday, Works Minister Thongam Biswajit clarified that his Department couldn't release the pending liabilities due to reduction in the budgetary allocation coupled with the constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At his official residence at Sanjenthong late night yesterday, the PWD Minister said the 'bills' of the contractors couldn't be released timely last year due to the pandemic.

Files were submitted to the Finance Department in March last year to release Rs 113.77 crore for FY 2019-20, but the liabilities couldn't be released due to the Covid pandemic.

The total amount of Rs 113.77 crore includes Rs 83.92 for 5054 accounts (Plan Head) and Rs 29.85 crore for 3054 accounts (Maintenance Head).

However, this was also not the fault of the Finance Department as it was also facing many issues and constraints due to the Covid pandemic, said Biswajit.

Moreover, the budgetary allocation concerned has been reduced by about 50 percent in the FY 2020-21.Previously it was about Rs 172.80 crore for 5054 accounts, but this has been reduced to Rs 90 crore only.

Similarly, the Rs 64.65 crore for 3054 accounts has also been reduced to Rs 40.50 crore.

As the budgetary allocations have been reduced and fell short of Rs 113.77 crore in total, the Public Works Department is getting Rs 220.72 crore less than the expected sum.

If the Department was not facing these situations, it would have been able to release the liabilities/bills with ease, said Biswajit.

While stating that it was unfortunate that the contractors had "avoided" talks on the issue, Biswajit however, stressed that the demands of the contractors are legitimate.

They are playing immense roles in building and developing the State besides contributing towards the society.

"The issues I am saying is all true and contractors' association may see the PWD account for satisfaction," he said.

He also mentioned that the Department is working towards releasing some of the liabilities within this month.

The contractors should not feel insecure even when March ends.

The budget still has provision to clear the committed liabilities.

The only issue is time which contractors have to bear with.

The Department is doing all to release the pending liabilities, he said.

Appealing the contractors to understand the position in which the Department is, Biswajit urged them not to resort to anything that would harm the image of the Government.

It may be noted that the Manipur Hills and Plain Contractors' Association had staged the protest yesterday afternoon.

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