Last Updated on November 12, 2024 8: 39am
Guwahati: The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) on Monday raised serious allegations against the BJP-led Assam government, accusing it of favouring a select group of contractors for government projects and payments, thus marginalizing local contractors and disturbing the economic balance of the state.
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In a press conference on Monday, AJP general Secretary Jagadish Bhuyan, accompanied by party spokesperson Ziaur Rahman, criticized the government’s allocation practices, stating that contractors are integral to Assam’s economic structure, as they drive development projects that benefit not only suppliers and workers but also local businesses.
Bhuyan argued that biased allocation policies have excluded many local contractors, undermining their livelihoods and slowing economic progress. He claimed that large-scale projects, like flyovers, are used to generate commissions, with contracts primarily awarded to a limited circle of influential individuals rather than through fair, open competition.
This approach, according to Bhuyan, consolidates control over state projects among a few, depriving local contractors of opportunities and stifling broader economic growth.
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Bhuyan stated that Assam has 54 government departments with most contractors being local, who were previously given smaller project allocations that created jobs and promoted economic distribution.
He highlighted that before the current administration, projects like a ?5 crore initiative under the Water Resources Department would be split among multiple contractors, benefiting local economies by engaging various suppliers and workers. Now, however, these projects are consolidated into larger contracts, such as ?50 crore allocations awarded to single entities, often at the expense of local firms.
Bhuyan also noted that delayed payments have severely affected contractors, resulting in hardships for thousands of workers, suppliers, and shopkeepers who depend on these projects.
“Many contractors reportedly remain unpaid, with dues across departments, including Public Health Engineering, amounting to nearly ?22,000 crore. This debt, criticized by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), has impacted projects like the Jal Jeevan Mission, which has stalled due to funding issues,” Bhuyan said.
In the PWD (Roads) department, Bhuyan presented data revealing that between 2016 and 2024, three contractors—Das, Sharma, and Singhi—were awarded contracts totalling ?8,798 crores, indicating concentrated allocations.
Bhuyan called for a judicial probe into the allocation of government contracts from 2016 onward, advocating for transparency in departmental contract awards, contractor identities, and cost evolutions from initial estimates to final payouts.
He emphasized that such an investigation is crucial for restoring fair opportunities for local contractors and maintaining economic balance in Assam.