GHMC empanelled contractors threaten to halt civic works over pending payments

Empanelled civil contractors have warned GHMC, CMC and MMC officials that they will stop ongoing works if their pending bills are not cleared by March 21. Contractors say they are facing financial strain due to unpaid dues and delays in processing bills.

Hyderabad: Ahead of civic body polls, empanelled civil contractors have threatened the Commissioners of the three civic bodies, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) and Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation (MMC), of stopping ongoing works over non-payment of bills.

On Monday, the contractors gave an ultimatum that their pending dues for works that have already completed be cleared by March 21 failing which they would meet on March 23 and stop all works taken up in the three civic bodies.

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In their representation, the contractors put forth demands including clearance of pending outstanding dues, which they said they had to pay as daily wages to the workforce and for material purchased for the works, a revised budget in the newly formed GHMC circle, and rectification of technical glitches in the work management system (WMS) to process the documents.

Speaking to media at the GHMC head office, the contractors said despite, non-payment of pending dues, they were forced to attend desilting works in the ongoing ‘99 Days Action Plan’. Even though, the works were completed, the payments were not done.

“Without work orders and agreement, the officials forced us to take up works and complete them. Though, we have completed the works, the bills are not being paid,” they said.

The contractors said they have no other option but to stop all sanctioned works for which work orders were received. They warned that a final decision would be taken on March 23.