Payment of contractors’ pending bills to be done after review of financial situation

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday assured the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association of considering payment of their pending bills after reviewing the financial condition.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday assured the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association of considering payment of their pending bills after reviewing the financial condition.

Speaking to presspersons after the office-bearers of association held a meeting with him, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the contractors had appealed to him to clear the pending bills. He said the government would make efforts to clear as many pending bills as possible in April.

He alleged that bills had been pending as the erstwhile government had taken up works without allocation of funds. “Can our government be responsible for such a situation arising out of the decision of the erstwhile government?” he asked.

Referring to the allegations of contractors that there was a “commission racket”, the Chief Minister maintained that it was a crime to offer as well as receive bribes. He said that he had never taken money from anyone to clear any pending bills.

The Chief Minister, who attended the Business Advisory Committees of both the Houses, said that the State Budget will be presented on March 7, while the debate on the Budget would continue till March 19. He would reply to the debate on the Budget in the Assembly on March 19 and in the Legislative Council on March 20.