HYDERABAD: Contractors from various districts gathered at the Telangana Secretariat on Friday to protest the non-payment of their pending bills. The contractors, primarily small and medium-scale, claimed that their bills, ranging from Rs 5 crore to Rs 7 crore, have been pending for the last few months. They alleged that officials are demanding a 20% commission to process these payments.
The contractors attempted to meet Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka to submit a representation regarding their grievances. However, they were denied permission by the Special Protection Force (SPF) security personnel, leading to a heated argument. Videos of the contractors’ protest and their confrontation between the contractors and security staff have circulated on social media.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the Deputy Chief Minister left the Secretariat without meeting the protesting contractors. The contractors expressed frustration over the prolonged delays, stating that some bills have been pending for over three years. They emphasized that these delays have severely impacted their financial stability and the livelihoods of their families.
In January, contractors working with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) staged a similar protest, demanding the immediate release of pending bills amounting to ₹1,500 crore. During that protest, some contractors threatened suicide due to extreme financial difficulties. GHMC Commissioner K. Ilambarithi assured them that ₹600 crore would be released by Sankranti.
Despite these assurances, many contractors continue to face financial hardships due to unpaid bills. They urge the government to take immediate action to clear the pending payments and address the alleged corruption within the payment processing system.
