he President of the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association, D Kempanna, issued a strong warning on Friday, stating that a protest would be organized if the state government did not settle the dues owed to contractors within the next 30 days. Kempanna emphasized the urgent need for at least 50% of the payments to be released promptly, expressing concern over the preferential treatment given to certain contractors, with bills cleared for only a select few. The association’s president alleged a lack of payment prioritization based on seniority, which has caused significant distress among the affected contractors.
During a press conference in Bengaluru, Kempanna asserted that the government had been inconsistent in its payment procedures, failing to address the outstanding dues despite repeated appeals to the Chief Minister in four separate letters. The dire situation, Kempanna emphasized, had pushed some contractors to the brink, with reports of attempted suicides among those awaiting their overdue payments. With Ayudha Pooja and other festivals approaching, he implored the government to expedite the release of at least half of the pending payments, highlighting the critical financial strains experienced by the affected contractors during this time.
Accusing the state government of favoritism, Kempanna lamented the selective processing of bills through cheques, creating confusion among the contractor community regarding the allocation of payments and the lack of responsive communication from concerned officials. He stressed the urgency of the situation and underlined the imminent decision to take further action if the government did not promptly address the ongoing payment crisis.
Issuing a clear ultimatum, Kempanna emphasized the looming protest should no substantial action be taken within the stipulated 30-day window. Furthermore, the association is preparing to request a meeting with the Chief Minister to formally present their demands. Comparing the plight of the contractors to that of farmers, he underscored the severity of the situation, emphasizing the critical need for timely resolutions to alleviate the ongoing financial burdens faced by the contractor community.
Source: Hindustan Times
Furthermore, he pointed out the unfair awarding of contracts to parties from neighboring states such as Andhra Pradesh, advocating for the prioritization of local contractors as primary stakeholders within the state’s contracting system.
