The construction of Dalli-based primary health post has come to a halt even though the Kathmandu-based Shree G.M Construction Pvt Ltd was awarded the contract by the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC) in 2010 to accomplish the work within two years.
Likewise, construction of seven other public buildings, including the building of the District Public Health Office Khalanga, and health posts at Gharanga, Dasera, Badkule of Majhkot, Sima and Ramidanda Village Development Committees (VDCs) has stalled.
Locals of Khagenkot, Laha, Dadagaun, Sakla, Ragda, Bhagwati and various VDCs of Rukum district visit the health post at Dalli. Providing health service have been severely affected due to delay in building constructions, complained health workers.
“We are forced to work from an old building which is in a very bad condition,” said Dr Bhivanta Shah, chief of the primary health post at Dalli. “Although the health post has a residential facility, the staff has been facing various difficulties to live and work there,” he added.
The government had allocated Rs 20 million for the construction of the health post. Bin Bahadur Singh, chairman of the health post managing committee, said that the contractor has left the work in limbo and fled.
“Despite the huge investment, the authorities have done nothing to pressurize the contractor to complete the task,” informed Singh. “Pregnant women visiting the health post for maternity services have been hit the hardest as the condition is not suitable for delivery,” he added.
Locals have been demanding stern punishment for the contractor for failing to fulfill their responsibility. They complained that none of the construction companies have faced any kind of punishment for failing to complete their task. They bemoaned millions of rupees going to waste because of the negligence from contractors and authorities.
“Contractors not only shy away from their responsibility but also do not respond to repeated reminders,” said Nagendra Shah, chairman of Jajarkot Hospital Development Committee.
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