KATHMANDU, July 14: Agitating construction entrepreneurs have demanded resignation of Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat.
The agitating entrepreneurs held a sit-in protest at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu on Friday, demanding the immediate resignation of Finance Minister Mahat. They emphasize that Finance Minister Mahat should step down promptly as he has failed to fulfill the payment obligations for their work.
Despite assurances from both the Finance Minister and Finance Secretary that the construction entrepreneurs would be paid without delay, the payments have not been made as of mid-July. This has forced the entrepreneurs to take to the streets, explained Rabi Singh, President of the Federation of Contractors' Associations of Nepal.
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Singh also highlighted that the construction entrepreneurs face blacklisting by banks if the government fails to make timely payments, and thus, projects under such circumstances should be canceled immediately. He criticized the government for offering excuses instead of fulfilling their agreements with the construction contractors.
Singh further noted that the long-standing halt in construction work is primarily due to the government's failure to create a conducive working environment.
Speaking at the sit-in protest, Ramji Panta, vice president of the Federation, highlighted that the government had instructed the construction contractors to secure loans from the market after reaching agreements for construction purposes.
However, the government has not fulfilled its financial obligations to the construction businessmen, resulting in significant difficulties for the contractors. Panta demanded the resignation of Finance Minister Dr Mahat, who has been unable to make timely payments to the contractors.
