The All Odisha Contractors’ Association on Monday began their fast unto death agitation at the Lower PMG after taking out a rally on Monday protesting the step-motherly attitude of the State Government and the current policies in bidding throwing them into great hardship. About 5,000 contractors from across the State joined the stir led by association president Pravat Dash.
The association alleged that while the Government iss showing favour to the outside contractors by allowing them to take work order by 100% to 300% over the cut-off rate, the Odisha contractors have to do it at less than 14.99%. They said that the Government has not revised the schedule rate of 2014. Though the Odisha contractors are taking work order at the rate fixed since they have no other alternative, they are suffering huge losses. This has not just affected the contractors adversely but threatened the livelihood of about one crore people who earn their daily bread by working with the contractors.
The association further alleged that while States like Telangana have provided relief to the contractors after GST was imposed, the Odisha Government has been lackadaisical here. They also protested a recent order as per which the contractors have to submit transit pass and royalty receipt with the Works Department for the materials they would use.
