Karnataka Contractors Demand Rs 37,000 Crore in Pending Bills, Announce Bengaluru Protest
The Karnataka state government is facing mounting pressure from contractors over unpaid bills totaling a staggering Rs 37,000 crore across the state. In Dakshina Kannada district alone, the government owes contractors Rs 1,162.3 crore, according to K Radhakrishna Naik, the district president of the Contractors Association.
District-Level Debt Breakdown in Dakshina Kannada
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Naik provided a detailed breakdown of the pending payments in the district. The largest chunk, Rs 647 crore, pertains to works undertaken through the minor irrigation department. Additionally, bills of Rs 300 crore for Public Works Department (PWD) projects and Rs 309 crore for rural drinking water and sanitation initiatives remain uncleared.
Further compounding the issue, the Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat has outstanding dues of Rs 6.3 crore to contractors. This multi-layered debt highlights systemic payment delays affecting local infrastructure development.
Statewide Crisis and Planned Protest
R Manjunath, the state president of the Karnataka State Contractors Association, escalated the matter by revealing the statewide debt figure of over Rs 37,000 crore. "We are demanding the government clear all pending bills at once," Manjunath stated emphatically.
In response to the prolonged non-payment, contractors have decided to organize a massive protest in Bengaluru on March 5. This demonstration aims to draw public and governmental attention to the financial strain crippling the contracting community.
Allegations of Corruption and Funding Issues
Manjunath did not shy away from criticizing the current administration, alleging that corruption levels have increased compared to the previous government. However, when questioned about the specific 40% commission allegations levied against the prior BJP government by his predecessor, he adopted a cautious stance.
"I would not disclose a percentage, as contractors could not prove such allegations. Will anyone bribe politicians or officials on record?" he remarked, underscoring the clandestine nature of such transactions.
Jal Jeevan Mission and KRIDL Concerns
The contractors also highlighted specific projects mired in payment issues. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, contractors are owed approximately Rs 1,450 crore in Karnataka. Manjunath pointed out that the central government has not released its matching grants for the scheme, placing the onus on the state government to advocate for these funds.
Furthermore, contractors expressed dissatisfaction with the state government's preference for executing development works through the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL), effectively sidelining traditional contractors. This shift has exacerbated their financial woes and limited their participation in state projects.
The growing unrest among contractors signals a potential crisis in Karnataka's infrastructure sector, with the planned protest on March 5 poised to be a significant flashpoint unless the government addresses these substantial pending payments promptly.
