Overview
- The Karnataka State Contractors' Association warned it will stop work on March 5 and may launch an indefinite strike if dues are not cleared.
- KSCA says pending bills total Rs 37,370 crore, led by about Rs 13,000 crore in Water Resources and Rs 8,370 crore in Public Works, with more owed by Urban Development and Minor Irrigation.
- The association plans to petition Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and the Karnataka governor while seeking a meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for a phased payout.
- KSCA leaders alleged tender approvals in the Urban Development department are influenced by middlemen and claimed corruption has increased, assertions the minister rejected and challenged them to prove.
- Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh said ministers do not award contracts and that Rs 200 crore in payments was released in phases after Finance Department approval.