July 24: The Federation of Contractors Association of Nepal (FCAN) has put forward a nine-point demand with the government along with a series of protest programmes.

The federation announced the protest program demanding the release of payments of all construction projects in lump sum and the extension of the deadline of all the projects.

The government has already extended the deadline of infrastructure projects by publishing a notice in the Nepal Gazette as per the request of the construction entrepreneurs. However, the contractors say that their demands have not been implemented.

The contractors announced the protest programmes on Sunday following a national meet of more than 400 construction entrepreneurs from all across the nation held in the capital on Friday.

Organising a press conference, the federation stated that the government has withdrawn from its commitments and therefore the contractors decided to hold the protest. FCAN argued that the government is yet to fulfill their demands.

Ravi Singh, president of the Federation, said that the government should adjust prices to address the excessive and unexpected price hike.

Similarly, other demands put forward by the federation include termination of stalled and problematic projects that have not shown any progress due to lack of budget.

They have also demanded that  cheque bounce and confiscation of bank guarantees should be stopped, the increase in the premium rate of insurance should be cancelled, the remaining arrears of income tax and value-added tax (VAT) deducted at source should be submitted to the revenue department on time.

The federation has also demanded that the provision of construction by the consumer committee should be abolished and that the public procurement act and rules related to infrastructure should be business-friendly. Singh said that more than 24,000 construction workers across the country have been affected because the government is not business-friendly. 

Singh made it clear that if the government fulfils the demands of the federation, all the protest programs will be withdrawn.

Yaksha Dhwaj Karki, advisor and former president of the federation, said that the problems in the construction industry have increased due to the non-inclusion of construction professionals while amending the laws and regulations related to public procurement.

As part of the program of the movement, the federation will submit a memorandum with an ultimatum to the prime minister on Monday.

On Tuesday, seven state federations will submit a memorandum with an ultimatum to the chief minister and 77 district federations to the district administration offices. From July 26 to 30, there is a program to inform the presidents of various political parties, concerned federal government agencies, and the state federation about their demands.

Similarly, on July 30, the federation has announced a one-hour protest at the Public Procurement Monitoring Office from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, and from the same day, a 1-hour protest will be held at the offices of the chief ministers of all seven provinces and district administration offices. The federation said that they will hold a sit-in protest for one hour in front of the prime minister's residence on July 31 and will hold a strong demonstration in the federal capital with construction equipment and tools until their demands are met.