Minister Lamsal clarifies controversial ‘break contractors’ legs’ remark

KATHMANDU: Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal has defended his controversial statement about “breaking the legs” of contractors, saying his intention was not to threaten them but to ensure timely completion of development projects.

Responding to questions in the House of Representatives on Thursday, Lamsal addressed concerns raised by CPN-UML Chief Whip Ain Mahar regarding the remark, which had sparked criticism.

The minister said his comments were aimed at encouraging contractors to complete their work rather than intimidating them.

“My intention was not to threaten contractors. The goal is to ensure that projects are completed,” Lamsal told Parliament.

He argued that if contractors fail to perform, the government could be forced to terminate contracts, which would have severe financial consequences for the companies involved.

“If contracts are canceled, contractors could face serious losses because bank guarantees would be seized. Additional financial liabilities could also be imposed, making it difficult for them to recover and continue operating,” he said.

Lamsal maintained that his remarks were intended to protect contractors from such outcomes by pressuring them to fulfill their contractual obligations.

“We only want to create enough pressure to get the work done. I have no intention of insulting anyone. If contractors complete their work on time, we will be happy and there will be no need for such discussions,” he added.

The minister insisted that his statement had been misinterpreted and reiterated that his sole objective was to accelerate project implementation and prevent contractors from facing harsher penalties due to non-performance.