Hyderabad: Former minister T Harish Rao on Monday demanded that the state govt immediately clear long-pending bills of contractors who executed works under the ‘Mana Ooru–Mana Badi’ programme, warning that the continued delay had pushed many into financial distress and, in some cases, to tragic ends.A delegation of contractors met Harish Rao and narrated their plight, stating that payments had been withheld for over two-and-a-half years despite the completion of works. They alleged that while big contractors and suppliers were paid promptly, small civil contractors were ignored and harassed with false cases when they sought their legitimate dues.Harish Rao said the ‘Mana Ooru–Mana Badi’ programme, launched under the previous BRS govt regime, ensured timely payments to contractors. “After the change of govt, nearly 1,500 small contractors have not received a single rupee. Many borrowed heavily to complete works and are now unable to repay their loans. It is heartbreaking that some lost their lives due to debt pressure,” he said.Harish questioned how the govt claimed it had no funds for small contractors while releasing hundreds of crores overnight to big companies for painting, benches and supplies. “Is it because small contractors do not pay commissions? Is this the reason their bills are deliberately stalled?” he asked.Despite repeated representations at Prajavani, visits to the education department offices, and requests for appointments with the chief minister and deputy chief minister, the contractors said they received no response. Harish Rao condemned the filing of cases against contractors who staged a peaceful protest near the finance minister’s chamber at the secretariat, calling it an attempt to intimidate and silence those seeking their rightful payments.
