The Builders Association of India (BAI) and contractors have postponed their proposed ‘Chalo Hyderabad’ protest and the meeting of all contractors’ associations, scheduled to be held in the city on June 18, following assurances from deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka and R&B minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy that their pending bills would be released in a phased manner.
Background of the Demand
The BAI, on behalf of the contractors who executed road and other infrastructure works for the roads and buildings, panchayat raj and other departments, has been demanding the release of pending bills worth around Rs 20,000 crore. BAI former national vice president DVN Reddy told TOI that minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy had assured them that a meeting with chief minister would be organised soon.
Assurances from Deputy CM
“The deputy CM assured us that pending bills of up to Rs 25 lakh, Rs 50 lakh and up to Rs 1 crore, amounting to nearly Rs 1,000 crore, would be cleared in a phased manner over the next three months. We have, therefore, postponed our ‘Chalo Hyderabad’ programme and the meeting of various contractors’ associations that was scheduled to be held on Thursday,” he said. Bhatti said the Congress govt had responded positively to the request of small civil contractors for the phased release of pending bills.
Gratitude Expressed
BAI state chairman Ravinder Reddy thanked chief minister A Revanth Reddy, the deputy CM, and R&B minister for their positive response toward resolving the issues.
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