PWD contractors boycott tenders over hike in GST

JAIPUR: The public works department (PWD) contractors' associations of Rajasthan have decided to boycott all tenders protesting the hike in GST (Goods and Services Tax) rate of contract building works which has been increased from 12% to 18%.
They have submitted a memorandum to chief minister Ashok Gehlot listing 34 demands and have threatened to boycott PWD works if their demands are not fulfilled.
“If states like Haryana and Madhya Pradesh can make additional payments for the increase in GST rates, why can't the Rajasthan government do it. Now, we have staged protests in Kota district. In the next phase, we will protest in Jaipur district,” said Sunil Garg, president, United Contractors’ Association, Rajasthan (Kota division).
Among the other demands of the contractors’ association include decentralization in the power to extend time for PWD contracts, the registration of permanent contractors should not be renewed every two years. “Full authority should be given to the superintendent engineer (SE) in time extension of work. If it requires more time, say two months, for completion of work, the file goes to the minister for extension of time. A small contractor is required to visit the Secretariat to get the file approved for time extension. The SE should have the power to get the time extended,” said Garg.