PHED contractors threaten to resume strike over unpaid dues despite govt assurance

Jaipur: The All Rajasthan PHED Contractors’ Association Friday, threatened to resume its strike from Monday if the state govt fails to disburse Rs 1,000 crore in pending dues, despite assurances that the payment would be released by June 25.Papu Dara, a member of the association’s Sangharsh Committee, said contractors were informed Thursday that officials cleared bills worth Rs 1,000 crore and forwarded them for disbursal.“Since there is an extended weekend, we will wait until Monday. If funds won’t get credited, we will decide the next course of action. One thing is for sure, if we strike again, we won’t withdraw until and unless we receive the payment,” Dara said.The contractors withdrew their strike on June 15 after CM Bhajan Lal Sharma assured them that payments would be released. Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) also issued a written commitment to release Rs 1,000 crore by June 25 and another Rs 1,000 crore by July 10 against total outstanding dues of Rs 4,500 crore.A renewed strike could disrupt water supply operation and maintenance works across Rajasthan.