Bills worth Rs 130 crore pending with PWD

Aurangabad, May 22:

As per the budgetary provision, the responsibility of various works done during the year to the tune of Rs 130 crore has been pending with the Public Works Departments (PWD). A demand has been made to the government through the senior office regarding the amount of arrears of work.

Due to coronavirus, the government had last year diverted the budgets of various departments for health provisions. Meanwhile, when the first wave of corona erupted in October, the PWD had approved 30 per cent of the budgetary allocation. After that a lot of work was done on roads, bridges, and government buildings under Aurangabad division. However, the payments for the work are pending. Meanwhile, over the past few years, contractors have been reluctant to carry out work for the PWD. Contractors were urged to complete works through the department throughout the year. But even the contractors did not dare to do the work as there were unpaid bills for the first work. Most of the roads and bridges in the district were damaged due to heavy rains. The repairs were also delayed due to unpaid bills. As per the sources, payments of Rs 130 crore is due with the department in the district. The contractors who have completed the work have approached the office asking for payment to be released. Therefore, a demand has been made to the senior office to provide funds for the payment of the works completed so far.