Dhubri contractors seek urgent release of JJM bills citing severe financial distress, submit memorandum to Assam CM

Contractors engaged in Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) projects in Dhubri district have raised a desperate appeal to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, citing severe financial distress caused by long-pending bills and stalled works.

 

In a memorandum submitted through the Dhubri District Public Health Workers Department’s Contractor Association, the contractors stated that they have been executing JJM works strictly as per government regulations, often advancing their own money to keep projects alive. However, with payments withheld for a prolonged period, they now face the threat of financial collapse.

 

“Our Dhubri district is very backward and our contractors are also financially weak. If we don’t get the bills on time, we have no choice but to commit suicide,” the memorandum warns.

 

The contractors further claimed that the lack of funds has left several projects incomplete and materials lying at sites are being damaged daily. They urged the government to either facilitate the continuation of work or release payments proportionate to the percentage of work already completed.

 

Adding to their woes, the association highlighted difficulties posed by the present “Third Party” monitoring team, which they allege is understaffed and has imposed impractical new rules. They pointed out that much of the work had already been executed based on directions from the earlier third-party team and supervising officers (S.Os.), making it impossible to comply with fresh guidelines retrospectively.

 

The memorandum also criticized the introduction of new Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.s) after the completion of work and during the billing stage. Contractors argued that enforcing such rules post-completion is both unfair and impractical, further complicating the release of payments.

 

The appeal underscores the growing challenges faced by contractors in backward regions like Dhubri, where financial vulnerability has amplified the risks of implementing flagship projects like JJM. The association urged the Public Health Technical Department to urgently resolve these issues to prevent human tragedy and ensure timely delivery of safe drinking water to thousands of households in the district.