Strike threats by contractors add to Jaipur Municipal Corporation woes

In the election year, it seems that troubles for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) show no signs of abating. The Jaipur Municipal Corporation(JMC), which was already staring the down the barrel of a gun due the strike threat by civil contractors, now has been caught in a pincer attacks of sorts with the electrical and garden contractors threatening to on strike.

If all these three go on strike, city’s civic services will be badly hit as it involves development, garden and street light maintenance. This will be a sure recipe for disaster as the JMC is controlled by the BJP. The reason behind why all three are angry with the JMC is the outstanding dues of Rs 150 which the JMC owes to them

The municipal corporation has not paid contractors for several months. Civil contractors, whose outstanding dues are around Rs1000, have not been paid for 14 months. JMC Heritage City Contractors Society gave a week’s ultimatum to Mayor Ashok Lahoti and JMC Commissioner Ravi Jain for clearing the outstanding payment by May 18.

“Since April 2017, the municipal corporation has not made any payment. Contractors’ bills have jumped Rs 100 crore. We will stop various development works, roads and drain maintenance and other civil works from May 25.” said civil contractors. On Tuesday, after the civil contractors, garden contractors and electrical contractors also gave the ultimatum of going on strike the strike.