‘Govt will stand by small contractors’

“Do not be discouraged. If any bills are pending, bring them to my notice. You can approach me through your association or come directly to the Secretariat or meet me personally and explain your problems. Nobody should lose heart. If necessary, we will discuss your issues with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and take steps to resolve them,” 

Komatireddy Venkata Reddy

Minister for Roads & Buildings and Cinematography, Telangana

Metro India News | Hyderabad

Minister for Roads & Buildings and Cinematography Komatireddy Venkata Reddy assured small contractors that the State government would stand by them and take steps to resolve their pending issues.

The Minister said issues relating to gravel, crushers and mining would be discussed with the concerned Minister and the Chief Minister, and necessary measures would be taken to address the problems faced by contractors. He stressed the need for a proper mining policy to prevent contractors from facing arbitrary notices and unnecessary difficulties.

Komatireddy Venkat Reddy on Thursday visited the grieving family of Bandari Srinivas Reddy in Vanasthalipuram, Hyderabad. Srinivas Reddy, a contractor from Nagarkurnool district, had previously held positions as Vice-MPP and Single Window Chairman. The Minister offered his sympathies to the family members.

He said bills amounting to around Rs 685 crore relating to CRF works taken up during the previous government’s tenure were pending across the State. Srinivas Reddy was also awaiting payment of nearly Rs 5 crore, he said.

The Minister said he had personally spoken to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to facilitate the release of the pending amount and that the concerned cheque had recently been released. He expressed serious displeasure over a mining-related notice issued to Srinivas Reddy’s family, questioning the rationale behind demanding Rs 54 crore from a person who was himself owed nearly Rs 5 crore by the government. He termed the action of the concerned official as thoughtless and unacceptable.

Komatireddy Venkat Reddy assured the family that he would immediately take up with officials the issues relating to the mining notice, crusher and electricity connection, among others. He said he would hold a review meeting with Minister Vivek Venkataswamy on Friday to discuss mining-related problems faced by contractors. The government would also examine whether action should be taken against officials whose actions might have contributed to Srinivas Reddy’s death, he said. The Minister assured the family that the government would take all necessary steps to ensure justice for Srinivas Reddy’s family.