Chhattisgarh PWD firms stop work

Contractors executing the projects of Public Works Department (PWD) in Chhattisgarh have stopped all the construction works demanding revision in the rate following escalation in the building material price.

“Besides stopping all construction works, PWD contractors have also decided to boycott the new tenders of the department,” State President of Chhattisgarh PWD Contractors’ Association Biresh Shukla said.

The stir would continue till the state government address the problem of contractors, he added.

The PWD contractors had demanded revision in the rate of on-going projects besides new rates for the fresh works following hike in the price of building materials.

“We had earlier brought the matter to the notice of the state government. But its adamant stand on the issue left the association with no option than to stop the works,” Shukla said.

According to the association, construction works worth more than Rs 1500 crore had been stopped across the state.

Shukla said the association had appealed the contractors executing projects of other state government departments and agencies at the schedule of rate (SOR) fixed by the PWD to boycott the work and join the movement.

Chhattisgarh government however said that it was not possible to revise the rate of on-going work, but still, it was examining the demand of the association.

“We have set a committee to look into the matter and submit a report to the state government at the earliest,” Minister of State for PWD Rajesh Munat told Business Standard.

The state government had revised the rate of new works three months ago.

“The decision of contractors to stop the works had little impact. The works have not affected and the construction works in 90 per cent projects are going on as usual,” the minister said.