Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: The Federation of Contractors’ Associations of Nepal (FCAN) has strongly condemned senior leader of Rastriya Swatantra Party Balen Shah’s remark that the road should be built even if tied to a tree. The federation has demanded a public apology saying that the statement was disrespectful, provocative and demoralizing of the contractors.

Addressing an election assembly organized in Dhangadhi on February 16, Shah had said that the road to be constructed in two years will not be constructed even in 20 years, it should be built in one and a half years. The FNJ has accused the federation of violating the election code of conduct and for cheap populism.

“It is unfortunate that such public statement has been made against an organization representing more than 30,000 contractors across the country,” reads the statement. Although the contractors have made significant contribution to the development of physical infrastructures, objectionable comments made by various people from time to time have angered the contractors.

The federation has claimed that lack of law and regulations, lack of guarantee of resources, low budget allocation, faulty design and policy complexities are the real reasons for the delay in the construction work. v. No. According to the FNCCI, although around 100,000 projects worth Rs 1.9 trillion have been approved after 2073/74 BS, more than 30,000 projects are in limbo due to the government’s impractical policy and lack of resources.

The Federation of Nepalese Contractors (FCAN) has clarified that the problems were not limited to the domestic contractors, giving examples of national pride projects such as Melamchi Water Supply Project, Nagdhunga Tunnel Way and Kathmandu-Tarai Expressway.

Among the demands put forth by the FNCCI are amendment to the action provision under Clause 59 of Public Procurement Act-2063, control of low bidding, guarantee of monthly payment, formulation of Integrated Umbrella Act related to construction industry, reduction of ceiling on construction work through users’ committee, effective role of regulatory bodies and guarantee of peace and security in project sites.

The FNJ has also drawn the attention of the Election Commission (EC) to take the indecent and provocative statements seriously. Likewise, the committee has urged the government to propose necessary legal reforms and construction industry-friendly policy for the speedy development of the infrastructure sector in the first meeting of the parliament and the Council of Ministers to be formed after the elections.

Claiming that the construction industry is the largest employment generating sector in the country after agriculture, it has been providing direct employment to more than 25 lakh people. In such a situation, the statement coming from the responsible political leadership may have a negative impact on the entire industry sector and economy, the FNCCI has reiterated the demand for public self-criticism and apology.