Maharashtra: On strike for five days, contractors may opt for legal remedy against govt

Gupta said that since the contractors are not being paid, the NPAs are rising. “Their offices are getting attached, GST department is sending notices. Despite all of this, work orders of almost Rs 1.4 lakh crore have been given additionally, when previous dues are not paid,” said Gupta. According to the data, Public Works Department owes Rs 46,000 crore, Jal Jeevan Mission Rs 18,000 crore, Rural Development Department Rs 8,600 crore, Water Resources Rs 19,700 crore, Urban Development Department Rs 17,000 crore among others. The total outstanding is more than Rs 90,000 crore. “It has become difficult to survive and continue work without money. The contractors have been paying heavy interest on the unpaid bills to the banks from which the funds have been borrowed to carry out the works,” said Milind Bhosle, state president, MSCA.

Bhosle said that despite communication with the state government, no invitation for the meeting has been sent to them.

Anil Sonawane, state chairman, BAI, Maharashtra too said the contractors have been thinking of legal action for the non-payment of the bills that stand at crores of rupees. “We will be left with no option but to go for the legal remedy as there is no response from the government despite several requests. Infrastructure and construction are the key sectors with immense contribution to the state GDP. It employs lakhs of people and paying their salaries on time, too has become difficult for us,” he said.