Pune: Contractors staged protests outside district collectorates in 32 districts across the state on Monday, demanding immediate clearance of pending payments and action on several issues affecting the sector.Members of the association have been facing a backlog of Rs86,000 crore in payments across various govt departments, accumulated over several years, and are demanding immediate release of these dues. Besides the unpaid bills, they have also demanded a probe into the suicides of contractors and strict action against officials found responsible. They have also sought establishment of an inquiry committee and financial assistance for families of contractors who died by suicide.Maharashtra State Contractors Federation, state engineers’ association, and the Maharashtra State Water Supply Contractors Association submitted a memorandum to district collectors as part of the statewide agitation. “Our members made it a point to submit our list of demands to the collectors. We are hoping they are addressed,” said Milind Bhosale, state president of the federation.The agitation followed a meeting between representatives of the three associations and the public works department (PWD), where they raised the issue of pending bills and other grievances. The contractors stated that their concerns remained unresolved, prompting them to move forward with the statewide protests. “We have had several interactions with state govt ministers and even deputy chief ministers. However, our demands remain unaddressed. We hope they are resolved at the earliest, or we will have to intensify our agitation,” said Bhosale.The associations also sought immediate financial assistance for small contractors and formation of a high-level study committee to examine their problems and make urgent decisions. “The intensity of the agitation that erupted in 32 districts across the state will not die down. The flame that has been lit will not be extinguished; this is a danger bell for the govt,” said one member.Another key demand was that small-scale works should not be clubbed together into large tenders. The associations noted that more than three lakh small contractors depend on such works for their livelihood and that combining them would put their businesses at risk. Additionally, they demanded continuation of the previous system where GST is paid to contractors alongside their bills, after which they deposit the tax with the govt. Members opposed the current arrangement, which they allege requires them to pay GST before they have even received their bill payments.
