BBMP asked to clear dues

BANGALORE: Contractors working for Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Thursday demanded Commissioner M K Shankarlinge Gowda to clear their dues. G S Ravindra, vice-president, BBMP Contractors’ Association, said that the Palike had not cleared the bills since August 2011.“For the period between September and December, 2011, Palike has to clear the Rs 480 crore pending bills,” he said.He said that members of the Association met Shankarlinge Gowda on Thursday, who assured them that at least 50 per cent of the bills would be cleared soon. They said through this, they would receive Rs 200 crore.Earlier this year, contractors had demanded the commissioner to clear the Rs 1,200 crore pending amount.“Of Rs 1,200 crore, Palike has cleared Rs 300 crore. Now the pending bills have exceeded Rs 1,000 crore upto March 2011. If they do not clear our dues, how can  we work,” a contractor questioned.