BBMP contractors stage protest

BANGALORE: The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) contractors staged protest on Monday, demanding Palike to clear the long pending bills. However, they will resume to work from Tuesday after Commissioner M K Shankarlinge Gowda assured to clear the dues at the earliest.Members of the BBMP Contractors’ Association staged a protest at the Palike’s main office. Association vice-president G M Ravindra, alleged that Palike owes Rs 1,000 crore to BBMP contractors. “The authorities concerned have not released any amount in the last 15 months and we are facing financial problems, “ he said. “There are many developmental works going on in the city.We are just demanding our money,” he added.The agitated contractors met the commissioner, who promised to clear their pending amount. Ravindra said that the commissioner had promised to pay the amount in three installments.“We are meeting him on January 19 to discuss further issues,” he said.UDAYSHANKAR BACKS CONTRACTORSBBMP Opposition leader Udayshankar supported the contractors who staged a protest on Monday. In a release, Udayshankar said there was a need for Palike to clear the pending bill amount as this was a matter of developmental works which was much needed for the city.“If contractors stop their work, it will be inconvinient to the public,” he said.He also demanded Mayor Sharadamma along with Commissioner M K Shankarlinge Gowda to meet Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda to request and release special grants from state government.