Bengaluru, Oct 18 (NationPress) In response to the Karnataka State Contractors' Association's ultimatum regarding the settlement of outstanding dues amounting to Rs 33,000 crore, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also serves as the Bengaluru Development Minister, expressed on Saturday that he is not intimidated by the threats from the association.

Speaking to reporters at Venkayya Park in the K.R. Puram assembly constituency during the "Bengaluru Nadige" (Walk in Bengaluru) initiative, part of a "Dialogue with Citizens" campaign, Shivakumar stated, "The deadline imposed by the Karnataka State Contractors' Association does not concern me. I have arranged a meeting with the association to discuss matters directly. I am not deterred by their threats. In the previous BJP-led government, the association allowed expenditures that surpassed the state's budget, leading to the current predicament. However, we are steadily addressing their outstanding bills and will continue doing so until we find a resolution."

On Friday, the Karnataka State Contractors' Association urged the Congress-led Karnataka government to disburse Rs 33,000 crore in outstanding payments to contractors and warned that they would cease all work statewide and organize a substantial protest if the funds were not released.

During a press conference in Bengaluru, the association's President, R. Manjunath, remarked, "The Congress leaders assured us that if they came to power in Karnataka, they would resolve the contractors' issues. Now, they (the Congress government) are failing to clear the dues, leaving contractors with no option but to consider drastic measures."

He further noted that families of contractors are continuously reaching out to the association for support.

"Of the total Rs 52,000 crore in outstanding bills, some departments have released limited funds, leaving Rs 33,000 crore still unpaid," he stated.

"We will wait for another month. If the funds are not released, we will initiate a large-scale protest," he warned.

Shivakumar added, "This area (K.R. Puram) features a national highway, flyovers, and metro connectivity. We will integrate the tunnel road with these infrastructures. While we may not resolve all your grievances, we are making earnest efforts."

"Establishing five new corporations is a landmark decision. We are generating Rs 6,000 crore in taxes from the city, with Bengaluru East contributing Rs 1,600 crore. The taxes collected by the respective corporation must now serve the same zone," he emphasized.

"The Bengaluru East Corporation is a vital resource in Karnataka, and the revenues will be allocated to address civic issues here. Previously, funds collected in this area were distributed throughout the city. We have taken numerous measures to accelerate development projects. The council of the corporation can allocate up to Rs 10 crore without tenders, while the Commissioner can approve Rs 3 crore without tenders," concluded Shivakumar.