<p>The impasse over the non-payment of bills to civil contractors who have taken up BBMP infrastructure projects continued on Wednesday with both the Palike and the contractors refusing to budge from their positions.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The Contractors’ Association has launched an indefinite strike, with work on projects worth over Rs 500 crore being stalled, over non-clearance of arrears totalling Rs 1,800 crore. <br /><br />“The Mayor, who returned to the City from Dubai Wednesday morning, has promised to find a solution. He has stated that BBMP will release Rs 400 crore in the next three to four days towards payment of pending bills.<br /><br /> However, till the payment of the pending bills, we will not resume work on the projects,” said R J Srinivas, president of BBMP Contractors’ Association. <br /><br />Earlier in the day, BBMP Commissioner Rajneesh Goel met the Finance Department officials to sort out the issue of releasing funds to the BBMP. <br /><br />“The BBMP has proposed that Rs 1,200 crore be released to tide over the financial crisis and ensure payment of bills. We can only hope for the best,” said Goel. <br /><br />The Contractors’ Association had, on Tuesday, laid siege to the BBMP head office, demanding the immediate release of the arrears. <br /><br />The association said works related to construction of stormwater drains, road-widening projects on Hosur Road and Mysore Road and underpass construction at KR Puram will come to a halt till the Palike clears the bills. <br /><br />“BBMP has not paid us for the past one year and we are facing problems in paying our workers and material suppliers,” said Srinivas.</p>
<p>The impasse over the non-payment of bills to civil contractors who have taken up BBMP infrastructure projects continued on Wednesday with both the Palike and the contractors refusing to budge from their positions.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The Contractors’ Association has launched an indefinite strike, with work on projects worth over Rs 500 crore being stalled, over non-clearance of arrears totalling Rs 1,800 crore. <br /><br />“The Mayor, who returned to the City from Dubai Wednesday morning, has promised to find a solution. He has stated that BBMP will release Rs 400 crore in the next three to four days towards payment of pending bills.<br /><br /> However, till the payment of the pending bills, we will not resume work on the projects,” said R J Srinivas, president of BBMP Contractors’ Association. <br /><br />Earlier in the day, BBMP Commissioner Rajneesh Goel met the Finance Department officials to sort out the issue of releasing funds to the BBMP. <br /><br />“The BBMP has proposed that Rs 1,200 crore be released to tide over the financial crisis and ensure payment of bills. We can only hope for the best,” said Goel. <br /><br />The Contractors’ Association had, on Tuesday, laid siege to the BBMP head office, demanding the immediate release of the arrears. <br /><br />The association said works related to construction of stormwater drains, road-widening projects on Hosur Road and Mysore Road and underpass construction at KR Puram will come to a halt till the Palike clears the bills. <br /><br />“BBMP has not paid us for the past one year and we are facing problems in paying our workers and material suppliers,” said Srinivas.</p>
