Games contractors threaten strike over civic body dues

Commonwealth Games-related projects in the city might come to a standstill if the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) doesn’t pay up soon.

Commonwealth Games-related projects in the city might come to a standstill if the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) doesn’t pay up soon.

Contractors working on some projects for the MCD have threatened to go on strike of they are not paid their dues. On an average, contractors have not been paid more than Rs 450 crore since January, they claim.

They have now threatened to stop work on all infrastructure work undertaken by them, such as beautification of roads that come under the Commonwealth Games corridor, upgradation work in Paharganj and Karol Bagh and road projects.

“How are we supposed to carry on doing these projects without money? We have been discussing this matter with the municipal commissioner and the Delhi mayor but to no avail. If we don’t get the money soon we will stop the work,” said Satish Lamba, president of Delhi Contractors’ Association.

A number of Games-related projects being carried out by the MCD are already running late.

The contractors’ body has decided to issue a notice to the civic agency asking MCD to release funds at the earliest.

“Why do they call tenders if they don’t have money? If we don’t get a satisfactory reply we will go on strike,” added Lamba.

MCD commissioner KS Mehra admitted funds hadn’t been released. “We will be releasing the funds soon. Delhi government has assured us that funds will be released soon,” he said.

The contractors claim that while the MCD has asked them to speed up work, lack of funds will result in further delay.

“Most people we employ are daily wagers. We don’t have any more personal funds to pay them every day and so workers are deserting us,” Lamba said.