Electrical contractors end protest

The BBMP’s electrical contractors withdrew their five-day protest on Monday, after the civic body promised to clear a pending amount of Rs 30 crore to the workers within 15 days.

More than 150 work vehicles from 198 wards stopped all activities and parked in front of the Palike head office.

During the BBMP council meeting on June 23, it was decided to bring the maintenance of streetlights under the Essential Services category, so that the IT city does not ever plunge into a pool of darkness.

Mayor R Sampath Raj, along with Manoj Rajan, special commissioner (Finance), held a meeting with the members of the BBMP electrical contractors association and decided to clear all the pending bills.

Speaking to DH, Raj said: “There are over 500 files to clear. It will take at least 15 days to clear it all. The contractors have agreed to this and decided to withdraw the strike.”

Following the meeting, the electrical workers have started the streetlights-related work in the BBMP limits.

Speaking to DH, K M Raju, general secretary of the association, said: “We have decided to start the work from today as the Palike promised to pay the amount. If they do not pay up by the promised date, we will go on strike again.”