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‘Bheek mango andolan’ | Vidarbha contractors protest over Rs 89,000 cr pending dues: ‘Will intensify stir if demands not met’

One contractor from Nagpur said they are left with no choice but to intensify their agitation

3 min readNagpurUpdated: Aug 27, 2025 11:49 AM IST

The contractors, who organised a ‘bheek mango andolan’ (begging protest), said that dues have remained unpaid for the last one year across key departments (Express Photo)

Contractors from across the Vidarbha region staged a massive protest at Samvidhan Square in Nagpur Tuesday over pending payments of nearly Rs 89,000 crore for completed works to the contractors across the state.

Around 500 contractors participated in the agitation led by Subodh Sarode, president of the Nagpur Contractor Association.

The contractors, who organised a ‘bheek mango andolan’ (begging protest), said that dues have remained unpaid for the last one year across key departments, including the Public Works Department, Rural Development Department, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Zilla Parishad.

Contractors said they have repeatedly written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the deputy chief ministers, seeking a meeting to resolve the issue, but have received only assurances.

According to contractors, the prolonged delay in payment has caused severe financial distress.

They highlighted the case of Harshal Patil, a contractor-engineer from Sangli, who died by suicide a month ago, over pending dues.
On Independence Day, some contractors had even threatened self-harm in protest, while in Wardha, one contractor attempted self-immolation but was prevented by others.

“We stopped our members from bringing shame to themselves on such an important national day, but the desperation is real,” a statement released by the association added.

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One contractor from Nagpur said they are left with no choice but to intensify their agitation.

“We will take this to Azad Maidan, and if our demands are still ignored, we will launch a complete ‘work stoppage protest’ (kaam banda andolan). That has become a priority now,” he said.

“Contractors have repeatedly met CM Fadnavis and other officials, and they gave us plenty of promises, but we are still only getting 3 or 4 per cent of what is due. The gap keeps increasing,” Nikhil Salve, one of the contractors, said.

He accused the government of pushing large volumes of development work before elections and leaving contractors to struggle afterward.
Contractors said they had borrowed heavily at interest to complete government work, but delays have left them unable to pay labourers, small vendors, and suppliers.

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“When our payments are blocked, the entire economic cycle collapses. Mechanics, vendors, laborers, everyone suffers. Building cement roads and other big works costs crores. How can we manage with only 3–5 per cent of our dues cleared?” Salve asked.

Another contractor said, “We did so much work for the government that helped them win elections, and now we are forced to beg for what we rightfully earned.”

“Our bills have been stuck for the past two years. There is funding for the Metro, for the Shaktipeeth Expressway, for the Samruddhi Mahamarg, but none set aside to clear our dues,” alleged another contractor.

The members of the associations also said that the latest petition was met with barricades from police.

Ankita Deshkar

Ankita Deshkar is a Deputy Copy Editor and a dedicated fact-checker at The Indian Express. Based in Maharashtra, she specializes in bridging the gap between technical complexity and public understanding. With a deep focus on Cyber Law, Information Technology, and Public Safety, she leads "The Safe Side" series, where she deconstructs emerging digital threats and financial scams. Ankita is also a certified trainer for the Google News Initiative (GNI) India Training Network, specializing in online verification and the fight against misinformation. She is also an AI trainer with ADiRA (AI for Digital Readiness and Advancement) Professional Background & Expertise Role: Fact-checker & Deputy Copy Editor, The Indian Express Experience: Started working in 2016 Ankita brings a unique multidisciplinary background to her journalism, combining engineering logic with mass communication expertise. Her work often intersects regional governance, wildlife conservation, and digital rights, making her a leading voice on issues affecting Central India, particularly the Vidarbha region. Key focus areas include: Fact-Checking & Verification: As a GNI-certified trainer, she conducts workshops on debunking deepfakes, verifying viral claims, and using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools. Cyber Law & IT: With postgraduate specialization in Cyber Law, she decodes the legalities of data privacy, digital fraud, and the evolving landscape of intellectual property rights. Public Safety & Health: Through her "The Safe Side" column, she provides actionable intelligence on avoiding "juice jacking," "e-SIM scams," and digital extortion. Regional Reporting: She provides on-ground coverage of high-stakes issues in Maharashtra, from Maoist surrenders in Gadchiroli to critical healthcare updates and wildlife-human conflict in Nagpur. Education & Credentials Ankita is currently pursuing her PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism, focusing on the non-verbal communication through Indian classical dance forms. Her academic foundation includes: MA in Mass Communication (RTM Nagpur University) Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (RTM Nagpur University) Post Graduate Diploma (PGTD) in Cyber Law and Information Technology Specialization in Intellectual Property Rights Recent Notable Coverage Ankita’s reportage is recognized for its investigative depth and emphasis on accountability: Cyber Security: "Lost money to a scam? Act within the 'golden hour' or risk losing it all" — A deep dive into the critical window for freezing fraudulent transactions. Public Health: "From deep coma to recovery: First fully recovered Coldrif patient discharged" — Investigating the aftermath of pharmaceutical toxins and the healthcare response. Governance & Conflict: "Gadchiroli now looks like any normal city: SP Neelotpal" — An analysis of the socio-political shift in Maoist-affected regions. Signature Beat Ankita is best known for her ability to translate "technical jargon into human stories." Whether she is explaining how AI tools like MahaCrimeOS assist the police or exposing the dire conditions of wildlife transit centres, her writing serves as a bridge between specialized knowledge and everyday safety. Contact & Follow X (Twitter): @ankita_deshkar Email: ankita.deshkar@indianexpress.com ... Read More

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