MUZAFFARABAD, Jan 29: The AJK government has decided to scrutinise the road and building contractors registered with the public works department so as to ensure quality developmental work across the state.

This was stated by AJK minister for communications and works Chaudhry Tariq Farooq while talking to newsmen here on Saturday.

The minister said most people had got themselves registered as 'A-class contractors' on the basis of political affiliations although they did not fulfil the criteria laid down in the PWD code.

"I have asked the department to provide me details as to who qualifies to be an A-class contractor and shortly there will be scrutiny," he said.

He said currently there were 511 A-class contractors in AJK but hardly 10 per cent of them possessed machinery and equipment that was prerequisite for registration in that category.

Mr Farooq said he had made it clear to the department that no work should be allotted to the people who did not meet the standards.

"Buildings and roads are national assets and political interests would not get preference over national interests," he said.

The contractors, he said, were also facing some genuine problems.

"The rates sought from the contractors are much less than those prevalent in the market. This creates room for corruption and affects the quality of work," he said.

Mr Farooq said he had directed the department to protect the legitimate interests of the contractors without compromising the quality.

The minister said he had formed a reforms committee, headed by secretary works, to suggest ways to improve the working of the five development authorities in AJK. The committee would submit its report within one month, he added.