Daijiworld Media Network - Brahmavar (JD)
Brahmavar, Sep 18: Bills worth Rs 1,205.99 crore for completed works under various government departments and corporations in Udupi district remain unpaid, bringing development works and related economic activities to a standstill, the Udupi District Contractors’ Association said.
The association submitted a memorandum to Karnataka chief minister D K Shivakumar at Hebri, urging the government to release the pending funds and restart development activities in the district.
Earlier, office-bearers of the association held a press conference in Brahmavar. Association president Uppunda Gokuldas Shetty said the pending bills include Rs 189.86 crore under the Public Works Department, Rs 322.42 crore under the Varahi Project Division, Rs 4.92 crore under Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Rs 618.85 crore under Minor Irrigation, Rs 21.88 crore under Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation, and Rs 43.01 crore under Ports and Fisheries, besides dues under various other divisions, including the Panchayat Raj Engineering Department.
He said the delay in payments has created difficulties for small and medium contractors in servicing bank loans, paying interest and EMIs, and settling dues to workers and material suppliers.
“Contractors in other districts are receiving at least some payments, while no bills are being cleared for contractors in Udupi. Such discriminatory treatment is not justified,” Shetty said.
Association general secretary Halady Praveen Kumar Shetty said contractors had arranged working capital through bank loans, overdrafts and private borrowings and had incurred expenses in advance towards workers’ wages, machinery rentals, diesel, cement, steel, jelly, sand, pipes and other materials.
They had also made statutory payments towards GST, royalty, labour cess and other charges, he said.
The prolonged delay in bill payments has made it difficult for small and medium contractors to repay loans and EMIs and settle dues to workers and suppliers. As a result, they are also unable to take up new projects, he added.
The association urged the chief minister to release the required funds for all pending bills and direct the concerned authorities to make the payments immediately. It also sought priority for bills that have been pending for a long time, particularly those belonging to small and medium contractors.
The association said clearing the dues would help restart development works and provide relief to contractors, workers, material suppliers and machinery owners, while also giving a boost to economic activity in Udupi district.
Honorary president B B Poojary, vice-presidents A B Shetty, Vadiraaj Shetty Hebri and Heggunnje Pramod Shetty, treasurer Cherkadi Ratnakar Shetty, secretaries Pavan Shiriyar, Ravikiran D’Costa and Umesh Shetty Muniyalu, along with executive committee members, were present.