PANJIM, NOV 2
There would be no joy for the Water Resources Department (WRD) contractors this Diwali as the department has failed to clear the bills for last eight months as the Directorate of Accounts has failed to release funds despite the budgetary provision.
Narrating their woes, the contractors, who spoke to Herald on condition of anonymity, said that they are facing hardships due to non-clearance of bills.
“Bills worth crores of rupees are pending as the WRD has failed to clear them. Now the Diwali has come and we are facing problems,” the contractors said adding “we also have family and they have their needs. Same was the situation during Ganesh festival.”
The contractors said that the payments were last made to them in March, during the end of financial year.
“After that only bills of contractors close to ministers have been cleared,” they alleged.
“If they fail to clear our bills by tomorrow we will go on an indefinite hunger strike,” the contractors said.
When contacted for his side of the story WRD Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues admitted such a problem existed.
“I admit the problem has arisen but it is because the Director of Accounts has not released funds for cash assignment despite having the budgetary provision,” he said adding “but this is for the first time and such problems occur in all departments including PWD.”
The minister assured that he would discuss the issue with the authorities concerned and try to resolve them.
“The non-clearance of bills will be a problem for us as the contractors will keep all works pending,” he said.
