BENGALURU: Although civil contractors had given the government an August 30 ultimatum to settle pending bills, the government appears unfazed.
While chief minister Siddaramaiah has insisted contractors would be paid only after verifying claims of work done — an investigation into this is ongoing — public works department minister Satish Jarkiholi on Wednesday indicated contractors may have to wait for as much as two years, suggesting the investigation would take time.
The Karnataka State Contractors Association (KSCA) has welcomed the decision to investigate work but warned that payment delays will severely hit development as contractors’ funds are locked up and they cannot take on new work.
