Contractor locks Telangana school gate over unpaid Rs 40 lakh repair bill

A contractor locked the main gate of ZPSS Rajura in Telangana’s Nirmal district, protesting a Rs 40 lakh unpaid bill under the Mana Ooru Mana Badi scheme. Students and staff were stranded for hours as he threatened drastic action if dues remained unpaid

Nirmal: A contractor locked the main gate of Zilla Parishad Secondary School (ZPSS) at Rajura village in Khanapur mandal on Monday, protesting against the delay in payment of a Rs 40 lakh bill for repair works. The incident left students and teachers stranded for several hours.

The contractor, Gaddam Srinivas, said he had undertaken repair works under the Mana Ooru Mana Badi scheme, investing Rs 40 lakh of his own money. He alleged that despite completing the works, officials had failed to clear his bill. Srinivas claimed he was forced to sell his assets, including tractors and bullocks, and take loans to complete the work. “I am now being harassed by moneylenders due to my inability to repay the loans,” he said, threatening to immolate himself if the bill was not settled immediately. He further warned that he would ask his wife to lock the school if police booked him for the protest.

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ZPSS Rajura teacher Sunil Reddy confirmed the delay in bill payment and said the school community was facing hardship due to the protest. “Students and teaching staff are suffering. We urge the authorities to resolve the issue at the earliest,” he added.

Meanwhile, students and their parents expressed anger at the education department for allowing the situation to escalate to such an extent. They appealed to the officials to intervene and ensure that schooling was not disrupted in the future.