Contractors stage protest in Shivamogga seeking the release of dues

Contractors from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes protested in Shivamogga on Friday, demanding the government release overdue payments that have been pending for more than four years. Representatives from all seven taluks of the district came together under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Contractors Association.

The group explained that the delay in payments had left them facing significant financial hardship. Many had taken out loans to complete projects and were now at risk of losing their properties as lenders pursued repossession due to unpaid debts.

In a letter to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, association leaders expressed their struggle to pay even basic expenses like their children's school fees and their inability to live with dignity and self-respect. The association officials reported that the total outstanding dues across the entire State amounted to over ₹38,000 crore, with Shivamogga district alone having over ₹3,250 crore in unpaid amounts from various departments.

At the protest, K. Shashikumar, the district president of the association; R. Raj Kumar, the honorary president; Yathish, the taluk president; and other officials were present.