Intro
Contractors allege worsening corruption and delayed payments, threaten statewide agitation from March
BENGALURU
The State Contractors Association has announced a week-long work stoppage and a massive protest on March 5, alleging that the government has failed to clear long-pending dues amounting to nearly Rs 38,000 crore. Association president Manjunath said contractors across departments are facing severe financial distress due to delayed payments and administrative apathy.
Addressing a press conference in Chamarajpet, Manjunath said the Siddaramaiah-led government has completed two-and-a-half years in office, but contractors’ problems remain unresolved despite repeated representations. “We have met the Chief Minister several times and submitted detailed memorandums. Even after providing 100 pages of information, there has been no concrete action,” he said.
According to Manjunath, grants are being released only in limited departments such as the Public Works Department, Greater Bengaluru Authority and Panchayat Raj Department, while contractors working under other departments continue to suffer. He cited the recent suicide attempt by Munegowda, a contractor from Chikkaballapur, who allegedly took the extreme step after banks pressured him to repay Rs 25 lakh in outstanding loans.
He alleged that seniority norms are followed only in select departments, while elsewhere payments and approvals are arbitrary. In the Urban Development Department, he said package tenders have been floated in 10 metropolitan municipalities, pushing small and medium contractors out of the system. “The role of middlemen has increased sharply. Tender approvals and fund releases are more chaotic than during the previous government,” he alleged.
Manjunath further claimed that in the Housing Department, contract-related work is being handled by a single section, leading to delays and lack of transparency. He alleged that middlemen have set up separate offices and openly threaten contractors, warning that tenders will be cancelled if their demands are not met. “If the Chief Minister does not immediately convene a meeting with contractors, we will release documents exposing these irregularities,” he warned.
Honorary association president Jagannath echoed these concerns, particularly highlighting issues in the Kalyana Karnataka region. He alleged that contractors there are facing injustice due to interference by seven ministers. “There is far greater injustice in the tender process under this government compared to the previous one. Ministers themselves are cancelling tenders,” he claimed. The association reiterated its demand for immediate clearance of dues and systemic reforms, warning that the proposed protest and work boycott would intensify if the government fails to respond.
