ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Mar 31: The All Arunachal Contractors Welfare Association (AACWA) has demanded the state government to lift the halt of government Cheques issued to the contractors within a specific time period, failing to which the association has threatened to stop the entire ongoing development work in the state.     
Addressing the media persons at the press club here today, President AACWA  Nabam Akin Hina said that the government cheques issued to them by the department is wasted as they are unable to withdraw the money from the banks.
“We demand the state government to immediately lift the halt of Cheques in the interest of the contractors also, the bills of works under central sponsored schemes (CSS) and MNREGA should be cleared at a go to respective contractors,” he said. 
He further added that the bankers have clearly stated that the money can’t be withdrawn as per the order issued by the state government.
“We the contractors are connected with the lowest of the working and business community. If the government is not capable of paying the contractors in time, they should refrain from floating tender for various government works,” he said.
Most of the Cheques issued by the Works Department were on March 24, which was later closed in a couple of days. The eyewash policy of the state government should end, thereby providing timely work money to the contractors, he added.      
“It has also been known from sources that maximum funds from plan head have been diverted to non plan head. Thereby benefiting selected Ministers, Legislators and those who are close to the people who are in power,” he alleged. President AACWA further demanded the state government to provide white paper of schemes funded under Non-plan head and upload the details in the website of the Palnning department so that every common man would know the details of utilization. Nabam also opined that, the union has submitted a letter to the Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) Chowna Mein, who is also the minister for Finance & Planning regarding the issue.

Earlier, on March 28, an order was issued by the State Finance, Planning & Investment Department to the banks to not make any payments to all government cheques issued by the works and forest department/divisions till further notice.
It also stated that the validity of government cheques issued by the department shall remain valid up to May 31 next. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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