Contractor waits for five years to get payment of ₹15 lakh

A civil contractor, who had constructed individual toilets for homes in Veppanthattai and V. Kalathur panchayats in Perambalur district, is waiting for settlement of dues amounting to ₹15 lakh from th

A civil contractor, who had constructed individual toilets for homes in Veppanthattai and V. Kalathur panchayats in Perambalur district, is waiting for settlement of dues amounting to ₹15 lakh from the State government for the past five years - despite a Madras High Court order to the government to make the payment within 12 weeks. The government had awarded the contract to Pitchai Pillai for constructing toilets at homes in the panchayat areas under a campaign to prevent open defecation in rural areas. The contractor had built 146 toilets in V. Kalathur panchayat between 2014 and 2016. Despite repeated reminders, he received payment of ₹3.97 lakh for 34 toilets only. He contacted the Block Development Officer to get the rest of the payment but to no avail.