Reacting to recent government notification that constituted three special investigation teams (SITs) to probe into the pending bills of NCSU members, Nagaland Contractors’ & Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) Tuesday said it would “never accept” the government notification that gave “enormous powers” to SITs to deal with the matter “as if NCSU members are criminals.”

State government July 30 constituted three SITs to probe into the claims payment of liabilities under various departments including Rs. 6.61 crore in PWD (housing) department, Rs.18.19 crore in PWD (R&B) department and Rs.11.02 crore in PHE department – totaling Rs.35.83 crore.

Reiterating that pending bills of NCSU members were “entirely genuine”, NCSU president Pele Khezhie and general secretary John Kath in a press release said re-verification was therefore not required at all when part payment were made against the pending bills earlier.

“We are of strong opinion that the state government has no excuse but to release payment without further delay,” NSCU leaders asserted.

Recalling that since statehood, the state government had for the first time constituted district level committee (DLVC) during 2002 in response to the pending bills/liabilities submitted to the state government by the NCSU, NCSU said as a result, payment of liabilities in piece meal were made from 2002 to 2009 for total amount of Rs.28 crore for NCSU pending bills.

Whereas, NCSU said more than Rs.100 crore were made payment from 2002 onwards to unregistered contractors outside NCSU members.

Querying where did the amount of Rs.100 crore go and to whom the amount was paid or spent; NCSU said it wanted to know from the state government “how this huge amount was spent.”

Further, NCSU stated that while most of the contractors were being allowed to execute works as per 2010 schedule of rate (SOR) there were few others who were awarded works as per 2030 SOR even when the NPWD was yet to bring out 2012 SOR in absence of budget provision spending crores of rupees for escalation of rates.

In view of, what it described delay tactics and arrogance being adopted by the state government, NCSU said it was now compelled to take up agitation soon “to fight for our genuine rights and for redress of our genuine grievances.”
It also appealed to all responsible to extend cooperation in support for justice and fair play.