Taskforce Established to Address Contractors’ Demands: Prime Minister’s Directive

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has expressed his firm commitment to addressing the pressing concerns of contractors, ensuring that their demands are promptly met. To facilitate the resolution of these issues, the Prime Minister has issued directives to the Ministry of Finance and other relevant line ministries, urging them to take swift action.

Narayan Prasad Bhatta, the Spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, revealed that the Prime Minister has emphasized the urgency of addressing demands, which encompass crucial matters such as the disbursement of payments for completed projects and the resolution of Value Added Tax (VAT) issues through mutual coordination.

To effectively tackle these challenges, a taskforce comprising six members has been established. Dr. Damodar Regmi, Secretary of the Public Procurement Monitoring Office, will spearhead the taskforce, with participation from joint-secretaries representing various pertinent line ministries. The taskforce has been entrusted with the crucial responsibility of conducting comprehensive consultations and coordination with diverse stakeholders to facilitate the generation of an actionable report within a span of 15 days.

The taskforce’s composition mirrors a collaborative approach, as it includes representatives from key entities such as the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure, the Ministry of Urban Development, and others. By harnessing the expertise and insights of these stakeholders, the taskforce aims to chart a pragmatic course of action that addresses the contractors’ concerns and lays the foundation for a constructive way forward.

Contractors have consistently voiced their grievances regarding the unresolved issue of pending payments for completed projects, and their concerns have prompted this proactive response from the government. The establishment of this taskforce signifies a concerted effort to uphold the interests of contractors and foster a conducive environment for their continued contributions to national development.

(RSS)