Melamchi project suppliers demand CMC to clear Rs 1.5 billion dues

Kathmandu, May 31 . The local workers and businesspersons supplying construction material and workforce to the Melamchi Water Supply Project have urged the project to press the Italian contractor CMC to clear the dues of Rs 1.5 million.

A delegation of local businesspersons, workers, and people’s representatives reached the office of the Melamchi Drinking Water Development Committee and warned that they would not allow the resumption of project activities unless they were paid the dues. The delegation met executive director of the committee, Surya Raj Kandel, on Friday and demanded him that he pressure the Italian contractor CMS to clear the dues.

The CMC representatives had all of a sudden left the project last December without paying remuneration to some 850 workers and the local suppliers. The project further informed that the CMC was due to clear nearly Rs 3 billion.

Delegation member, who is also the people’s representative and former minister Sher Bahadur Taman viewed that it was natural that the local businessperson supplying the construction materials demanded the compensation from the project.
Similarly, committee executive director Kandel informed that the committee was positive to address the local people’s demands relating to the compensation.

Nepali Congress Sindhupalchwok constituency chairman Aitaman Tamang said it was worrying the local people were not paid for their labour and other resources provided for the Melamchi project. The government needs to expedite the project by addressing the local’s problems.