Deputy CM Pledges Phased Settlement of Contractor Dues; Chalo Hyderabad Protest Called Off

Hyderabad's small contractors have received assurances from the state government that outstanding payments will be cleared systematically, leading to the postponement of a planned protest march.

Finance Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka met with a delegation from the Builders Association of India and civil contractors at Praja Bhavan to address their grievances over pending financial dues. The government, he stated, is approaching the issue with humanitarian considerations and has devised a structured timeline for clearing all eligible arrears.

Bhatti Vikramarka highlighted that the Finance Department has been disbursing funds consistently on a monthly basis, enabling numerous contractors to obtain relief. He reaffirmed the administration's commitment to sustained support for small-scale contractors and committed to resolving all outstanding eligible bills through a phased approach.

The contractor representatives had previously engaged with Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy before presenting the outcomes of those discussions to the Deputy Chief Minister.

Following the meeting, Ravinder Reddy, state chairman of the Builders Association of India, expressed satisfaction with the government's response. He announced that the association would postpone the Chalo Hyderabad programme that was scheduled for June 18, citing confidence in the government's commitment.

Ravinder Reddy extended gratitude to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, and R&B Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy for their collaborative efforts. However, association leadership maintained their push for expedited resolution of pending payments.

The delegation included National Vice-President V. Satyamurthy, former national president S.N. Reddy, former vice-president D.V.N. Reddy, and other association representatives.