Nagpur: With barely weeks left for the Maharashtra Legislature’s winter session to begin in Nagpur, preparations at key government establishments, including Vidhan Bhavan, Ravi Bhavan, and ministers’ residences, have come to a grinding halt. Public Works Department (PWD) contractors have refused to resume work until their long-pending dues amounting to Rs 150 crore are cleared.
The boycott, led by the Nagpur Contractors Association under President Subodh Sarode, has paralyzed essential pre-session repair and maintenance activities. In a recent letter to the authorities, Sarode reiterated that despite multiple appeals and assurances, the government has failed to release the pending payments.
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“We’ve held protests, gone on hunger strikes, and even met the Chief Minister. Yet, our bills remain unpaid. All members have unanimously resolved to halt government work until the dues are cleared,” Sarode told the media.
Ordinarily, post-Diwali marks the start of intensive preparations for the winter session, with contractors working round the clock to complete upgrades and maintenance at government quarters, bungalows, and offices. This year, however, the impasse has delayed work by over a week — with no signs of resolution in sight.
The deadlock has disrupted major works at the Speaker’s bungalow, Ravi Bhavan, Hanuman Nagar housing quarters, and several administrative offices. Officials privately admit that unless payments are released soon, Nagpur — which becomes the state’s temporary power center during the winter session — may not be ready to host the event on schedule.
PWD sources say internal proposals for releasing funds are pending with the finance department, but no official order has been issued yet. With the session likely to begin in early December, the stalemate threatens to overshadow one of Maharashtra’s most significant annual political gatherings.
