Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Sep 26: A contractor has begun a fast as protest in front of the office of Kote grama panchayat from Monday September 24 alleging the panchayat of not making payment for the works that he has done under Kote grama panchayat limits.

Through his lone protest, contractor Prabhakar, a resident of Kote Indira Nagar Colony, is urging the Kote grama panchayat to make his pending payment of Rs 14.50 lac for the various works which he has carried out under the grama panchayat limits.

The fasting of Prabhakar which started on Monday September 24 has continued on Tuesday also and locals have got him admitted into the district government hospital as he became weak toward the evening of Tuesday September 25.

Prabhakar is alleging that though he has requested umpteen times for the payment, his dues are not cleared by the panchayat giving one or the other lame excuse. Now the Kote panchayat which has prepared an action plan has not included his pending payment.

Reacting to the allegations of Prabhakar, Kote grama panchayat president Kritika Rao said, "We have made all the payments for the works that are done under the panchayat work order. At present, there is no provision to do advance work. If the contractor has done work in advance, the panchayat is not responsible. Now all the work has to be done through GPS."