September 23: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said defaulting contractors involved in national pride projects will not only blacklisted but also fined for the delay in work. He made such remark after the annual report prepared by the National Planning Commission painted a bleak picture of the work progress of all the major national pride projects.

Prime Minister Oli has already instructed Minister for Physical Planning and Infrastructure Raghubir Mahaseth to fine such contractors which do not fulfill their obligations.

He also instructed the line ministry not to award any other contracts to the companies which do not finish their assigned task on time.

The prime minister also clarified that the government has reached a stage where it cannot anymore bear the additional financial burden of projects due to the delay caused by the contractors.

“The government cannot bear any additional financial burden. So I instruct you to penalize the contractors and claim the compensation,” Oli reportedly told Mahaseth.