Maharashtra Contractors Plan Statewide Protest Over ₹90,000 Crore Unpaid Dues

Mumbai: Nearly three lakh contractors across Maharashtra are planning a statewide protest on March 10 against the pending dues amounting to a staggering ₹90,000 crore. These contractors, working on various development projects in the state, have been facing delays in payment for their work, severely impacting their financial stability.

The protest, which will take the form of a march to district collector offices, comes after a prolonged work stoppage that began on February 5, 2025. Despite numerous petitions submitted to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Public Works Minister, no concrete steps have been taken by the government to address the issue. The situation has worsened due to the state's financial strain, largely attributed to the large-scale expenditure on the Laadki Behen Yojana.

The Maharashtra State Contractors Federation, State Engineers’ Association, and Builders Association of India have all raised concerns regarding the unpaid dues, with petitions submitted to various government officials. However, there has been little response, and the lack of action has led to growing discontent among the contractors.

According to sources, the Laadki Behen Yojana, launched in July 2024, is placing significant pressure on the state’s finances. Under this scheme, ₹3,700 crore is disbursed monthly to over 2.46 crore women beneficiaries. While the scheme aims to support women, the substantial payouts have caused a severe fund crunch, affecting payments to contractors involved with critical government projects.

Departments such as the Public Works Department (PWD), Water Supply and Sanitation Department (WSSD), Rural Development Department, and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) have all been affected, resulting in stalled projects and unpaid dues.

The ongoing work stoppage has disrupted construction and infrastructure projects across the state, affecting the progress of vital public works. The contractors have warned that unless immediate steps are taken to clear the pending dues, the statewide protest on March 10 will intensify.

The state budget session is set to begin soon, and all eyes are now on the government to see what decisions will be made regarding the payment of pending dues and the financial situation of contractors.

The upcoming protest and the continuous work stoppage signal the urgency of resolving this issue to avoid further disruptions in the state's development work.