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This is an archive article published on May 8, 2025
‘This is unsustainable’: Delhi irrigation department contractors protest 2-year payment delay
Delhi irrigation department contractors claimed they are being pushed to take up new assignments without settling existing bills.
All 24 of Delhi's major drains that outflow into the Yamuna river come under the Irrigation Department.(File Photo)
Scores of contractors associated with Delhi’s Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department staged a protest at the LM Bundh office complex in Shastri Nagar Wednesday, demanding immediate payment of dues pending for nearly two years.
Organised under the banner of the Delhi Region I&FC Contractors Awareness Association, the protest was led by association president Arun Sharma. Protesters alleged that despite completing departmental works, they have not been paid for over 24 months.
They also claimed that the department continues to push contractors to undertake new assignments without settling existing bills.
“This is unsustainable. The department forces us to pursue work without payment,” said association president Tinu Sharma, who added that thousands of labourers depend on timely contractor payments for their livelihoods.
A senior I&FC official responded to the protest, assuring that pending payments would be processed within a week. However, trust among contractors remains low.
The department, which plays a crucial role in maintaining Delhi’s stormwater drainage and flood-prevention infrastructure, had earlier issued a circular stating that the timely release of salaries to contractual workers is under active monitoring by the chief secretary.
It also said that officials of ISCIL, the agency responsible for disbursing payments, have been sensitised to ensure timely salary release. However, ISCIL claimed delays were due to non-receipt of staff attendance from respective divisions.
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All 24 of Delhi’s major drains that outflow into the Yamuna river come under the Irrigation Department.
A contractor said the work stoppage by contractual employees can disrupt the pre-monsoon desilting and flood-preparedness projects.
On April 8, 2024, the Delhi High Court directed the Delhi government to ensure that desilting of the drains was completed by December, with the desilting of the Najafgarh drain to be completed by June 30, 2025.
Following this, during the 17th meeting of the Integrated Drain Management Cell, it was decided that the responsibility for all the open drains, which open into Yamuna, be handed over to the Irrigation Department.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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