Kathmandu. The Infrastructure Development Committee under the House of Representatives has directed the government to resolve the problems of contractors. Committee president Ashish Gajurel urged the government to provide payment to the contractors on time.

President Gajurel said, “Bring the problem, we will unpack the problem.” Let us cooperate and coordinate in nation building by resolving the existing problems as the halt in construction works will affect the development process of the country. ”

In the meeting, lawmaker Dr Mo Firdosh Alam stressed the need of timely payment to contractors. Lawmaker Bedh Narayan Shrestha said that investment should be increased in domestic production and the contract should be completed on time. He said that the state has to bear the compensation for not completing the works on time.

Lawmaker Jayapati Rokaya said the government should be serious to create conducive environment for contractors to work. He complained that although the Chinese government has constructed a bridge linking the border at Hilsa, the Nepal government has not yet initiated the handover process. He said that the Chinese government has shown its interest in the construction of Hilsa-Simikot road and the government should make necessary coordination.

Lawmaker Sunil KC said road accidents have increased due to delay in road construction. He stressed the need for effective monitoring from the government and proper utilization of available resources.

Lawmaker Raju Pandey stressed on the need of creating entrepreneur-friendly environment and the contractors should carry out quality works. Another lawmaker Nisha Dangi pointed out the need for policy-level reform to create conducive environment for construction entrepreneurs to work in time.

In the meeting, Secretary at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development Gopal Sigdel said that the price of diesel has increased and the construction materials have gone up and the ministry was ready to ease the situation. In the meeting, Federation of Contractors’ Association of Nepal (FCAN) President Nicolesh Pandey said exorbitant price hike has pushed the construction sector into crisis. He demanded the government to implement the price adjustment provision in line with the Public Procurement Act and Regulations.

Chairman Pandey complained that the price of construction materials has increased by more than 10 percent compared to the previous one, although there is a legal provision for price adjustment but it has not been implemented in practice. Stating that the cost of construction projects has increased due to continuous increase in the price of fuel and construction materials due to the Jenji movement, elections and the Middle East war, he demanded that the deadline should be extended as per the need.