Kochi: As the city corporation has failed to find a solution to end the indefinite strike by civic contractors which began in the first week of June, the contractors’ association is all set to intensify the stir. The association staged a sit-in protest in front of the Corporation office on Thursday. Association leaders reiterated their stand on not withdrawing the strike unless bill dues up to March, 2016, were cleared.
“The civic body owes Rs 56 crore to 200 plus contractors. Bill dues have not been cleared in the last 22 months. We cannot accept the Corporation’s offer to pay a small part of the arrears, as it will not help us in anyway,” said T.M Saidu Kunju, association president. The association representatives alleged that the civic administration had been taking a negative approach with regard to the issues raised by them. As the contractors have boycotted works, which were already tendered and awarded to them, the Corporation is now engaging daily labourers for emergency cleaning works. The cash strapped-civic body has to bear the additional expense for the temporary arrangement made for drain and canal cleaning works.
