Dharwad
The North Karnataka Civil Contractors’ Association has slammed the Siddaramaiah-led Congress govt in the state for its alleged failure to clear pending bills. To mount pressure on the government, the contractors have threatened to stop all the ongoing civil works.
Speaking to media persons, Association {resident Subhash Patil said the state government has been dodging them for the last eight months and has utterly failed to clear pending bills to the tune of Rs 19,000 crore.
CM Siddaramaiah, during a contractors’ convention held in November 2023, had assured that the govt would clear all bills within 45 days. However, it has been nearly eight months but not even a single rupee has been paid, he charged.
He said bills amounting to Rs 4,000 crore are pending with public works department, Rs 8,000 crore from major irrigation department, Rs 2,000 from minor irrigation, and Rs 5,000 crore from RDPR, health and other departments.
Patil alleged that there are several officials glued to their positions for last 10 to 15 years and they are indulging in corrupt practices. The association has been receiving complaints that bills of contractors who are paying bribe are getting cleared even though there is a guideline that bills should be cleared on priority and seniority basis, he alleged.
As the government has turned a blind eye to the contractors’ demands and failed to clear pending bills, the association has decided to stop all the ongoing civil works of the govt from July 1 and go on an indefinite strike. Civil works to the tune of Rs 12,000 crore are in progress in North Karnataka, he added.
