BENGALURU: Demanding release of pending bills, the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association has written to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. The association pointed out that Rs 38,000 crore is pending towards contractors and sought release of the pending dues in one go. Along with that, they have alleged that there is no transparency in the tender process and release of pending bill dues.
“When Siddaramaiah was Chief Minister, he did not help us at all. As soon as you become Chief Minister, you promised to release dues, but it has not been done. Last time, we staged a huge protest in Freedom Park and demanded release of pending dues. The PWD Minister and Minor Irrigation Minister had assured us that the government is with us. After taking charge as Chief Minister, you promised that you will release money in two months but the promise has not been fulfilled”, the association wrote.
The association has planned to hold a press conference on Wednesday where the contractors are expected to reveal more important issue.
The contractors’ association has expressed severe displeasure against the state government over pending dues and other problems. “When you were Deputy Chief Ministers, you had given assurance to contractors that the government will always be with us, and that this government had come to power because of us. You had given an assurance of support that the government will release money in one installment and solve our problems. Despite three years since your government came to power, pending bills have not been cleared”, the letter read.
The association also said that former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had not helped the contractors and was only giving assurances. Even after several letter correspondence and meeting Siddaramaiah also, the association got no response, it said.
“After you became Chief Minister on 30.06.2026, you called office bearers of state association and discussed the issue. You had said you will give our money within two months. You have given assurance that you have informed Finance department to make financial arrangement related to the issue. You are touring all districts of Karnataka state, trying to solve local problems there, but forgotten Karnataka state contractors who are root cause for all development works”.
“From 2021-22 till now, contractors’ pending dued has not been released from government departments. Apart from Public Works Department and GBA, no other departments are acting transparently in tender and money release issue. We request the Chief Minister to recommend to Finance department to urgently give 8 per cent amount of VAT towards GST difference amount of 2017-18, 2018-19, cancel the order on releasing money from treasury only after uploading information of works in Contract Management Module (of e-procurement platform)”, the association said along with various other demands.
