The Chief Construction Engineer’s office of the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department, Northern Division, Sambalpur, has faced asset attachment following a court order due to non-payment of ₹89,05,249 to a contractor.
Despite completing construction work in 2011–12, the contractor’s repeated attempts to recover dues proved unsuccessful, ultimately leading to legal action.
The Senior Civil Judge issued the attachment order, mandating that the pending amount, along with interest, be cleared. The enforcement process revealed that several high-value items had been removed from the premises, possibly in an attempt to evade payment.
This case reflects ongoing challenges in contractor payments within government offices, with previous instances recorded in Sambalpur. In April 2025, assets belonging to the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) and offices related to Hirakud Dam were similarly attached over long-pending dues.
Authorities and legal experts urge greater financial accountability in government departments to prevent such situations. Meanwhile, contractors continue to navigate prolonged payment disputes with official entities, often resorting to legal interventions.
