Staff Reporter
KOCHI: The Kerala Government Contractors’ Association (KGCA) has alleged that the discount scheme introduced by the Government for bill payment would help the corrupt.
Association president Varghese Kannampally said at a press conference here on Saturday that the Government had failed in allocating the necessary funds in the budget for the sanctioned works.
Funds diversion
Even the allocated funds were spent for other purposes. Over Rs.700 crore had been diverted during the last five years. The present impasse was a direct result of such actions, according to him.
No interest was charged even on the amount given as advance for the contract work. There had been no instance of demand for reduction in the bill amount so far. The contractors were eligible for the bill amount together with interest for delayed payment, he said.
Allegation
It had become almost impossible for the contractors, who had executed the works honestly, to give discounts in the wake of the escalation in labour and transport charges. But the corrupt might be able to provide any sort of concession, he said. He alleged that the Minister was trying to get applause from the public by raising allegations against the contractors.
Demand
Mr. Kannampally demanded that the Government clear the dues immediately at least for the period up to March 31, 2006. The remaining amount could be given with interest in instalments, he said.
Leaders of Builders Association of India and KGCA, Cheriyan Varkey, P.K. Ramachandran, N.K. Aboobacker, K.A. Jenson, V.D. Babbuji, K.S. Sreenivasan were among those present.
