Kathmandu. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development Kulman Ghising has said contracts of development projects that are in a dilapidated condition will not be scrapped showing any interest towards contractors.

In a meeting with the representatives of the Federation of Contractors’ Associations of Nepal (FCAN) on Sunday, Minister Ghising said that the contractors who have been delaying the construction of the project for years would be terminated.

“There is a widespread tendency to take projects by accepting less than the estimated cost but not carrying out the works,” said Ghising, adding, “I don’t want to carry out projects that have been in a dilapidated condition for a long time.”

“There is a budget, the project is ready, everything is there, but why is there no work? Being an engineer myself, I am fully aware of the entire contracting process, we will also look after the work that should be done on behalf of the project, we will not take action against anyone unjustly, there will be no penalty, whatever happens, we should end the tendency of doing anything. ’

He said that the contractors are not able to work even in the projects which have a budget.

However, the Minister said that the contractors working in foreign countries have not been found to be successful while working in Nepal and urged them to give a message that the contractors of Nepal are capable by completing the projects on time and in quality.

“There is a general perception that there are irregularities and corruption in the construction sector and the main objective of the incumbent government formed after the Genji movement is to control corruption. On the occasion, a memorandum regarding existing problems in the construction sector was submitted to Minister Ghising.