Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Contractors Association has issued a warning to the ruling Congress government, demanding the clearance of pending bills worth Rs 33,000 crore by December 2025, failing which contractors plan to go on strike. The Association, unhappy with repeated assurances from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, announced its next steps during a press conference on Friday.
Contractors plan to approach top leaders
The Association’s president, Manjunath, stated that members plan to meet Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to highlight the issue of unpaid bills. A delegation will also approach Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, and party in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, to raise concerns about contractors who have been waiting for payments for over two-and-a-half years.
Manjunath criticised the government for making partial payments, which he termed unacceptable, and insisted that small contractors’ dues be cleared first.
Issues raised with Chief Minister
During previous meetings, the Chief Minister reportedly told the Contractors Association, “Where is the money to clear pending bills?”, seeking more time to release payments. Manjunath, however, noted that no substantial action has been taken so far and urged Siddaramaiah to arrange for full settlement of pending bills.
He also alleged the prevalence of corruption in eight ministries related to the processing of bills and warned of public exposure if their demands continue to be ignored.
Conclusion
With the December deadline looming, Karnataka contractors are ready to escalate the matter to ensure timely payment and transparency in government processes. The Association’s firm stance signals increasing pressure on the state government to resolve pending financial obligations ahead of the year-end.