CONTRACTORS WARN SEIZURE OF WORK

Madikeri

The Kodagu contractors association warns complete seizure of work if the construction materials like stone bits and sand are not supplied timely and the prices are not reduced. Today, the district contractors’ association office bearers and members staged a protest in front of the deputy commissioner’s office here. They submitted a memorandum to the additional D.C. K.M.Chandregowda.

Speaking to press the association president K.A.Ravi Chengappa told that when the land owners apply for stone crushing the officials will reject such applications. But they oblige the rich, commercially minded people by giving permission and these permitted people crush stones even in hilly and forest area. They mint money by raising the prices. Since three months the prices of stone bits are raised from Rs.20 per M.M (1 feet) to Rs. 32. The contractors who got tender works from PWD and other departments cannot bear the raised prices. The tender works given during last year could not be carried due to abnormal raise in the prices of materials.The stone dealers will not give any bills to the contractors and again the Govt. departments deduct royalty amount for this which has to be borne by the contractors said Ravi Chengappa. He warned that if the situation continues all the Govt. works in Kodagu will be seized.

The district administration has announced the new sand policy in the district. But, this has become impractical. The contractors will not get the sand in the scheduled places fixed by the PWD. This has badly affected the ongoing works Ravi Chengappa explained.

The Additional D.C.K.M.Chandregowda assured that he will bring it to the notice of the speaker K.G.Bopaiah and try to solve it at the earliest.

Association office bearers N.S.Rajendra, C.S.Bopaiah, K.Babu and others participated in the protest.