Pending Bills: Contractors plan stir

KOCHI: The Kochi Corporation Contractors Association will launch an indefinite strike from Wednesday demanding clearance of pending bills to the tune of Rs 26 crore.The association's decision to boycott the works of the Corporation will adversely affect the civic body's plans to undertake road repair under the People's Plan Programme after the monsoon."We will boycott the tenders floated by the Corporation for new works. Though the dues owing to the contractors have crossed Rs 26 crore, no efforts are being taken by the Corporation authorities to settle the arrears," Kochi Corporation Contractors Association secretary Jaimon Joseph said.He alleged that the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities in settling the arrears had forced the contractors to launch an indefinite strike. "The ongoing works, that have been temporarily halted owing to rain, will also be stopped . The construction of drains and culverts will also be suspended," Jaimon added.He said that a majority of the nearly 200 contractors in the association were financially weak. "Some of them are even facing legal action from various finance firms from where they had mobilised funds to execute the work," he added.Meanwhile, Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany said that he would soon convene a meeting with the officebearers of the association to solve the issue.