Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Maharashtra Contractors Protest In Mumbai Over ₹86,662 Crore Government Dues
Thousands of contractors and engineers protested in Mumbai because the government has not paid many of their bills.
They say the unpaid amount is about ₹86,662 crore, while opposition leaders cited a figure above ₹90,000 crore.
Some protesters said they have been waiting for money for more than a year.
One opposition leader said some bills have been unpaid for three to eight years.
Contractors also said large companies are getting bigger projects that smaller firms used to receive.
They claim large companies sometimes hire smaller contractors to do the work while keeping the profits.
The government said it is working to pay the pending bills.
It approved a system to help clear dues owed by the Public Works Department.
Thousands of contractors and engineers protested at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan over approximately ₹86,662 crore in pending government payments.
The Maharashtra State Government Contractors’ Federation began a two-day statewide agitation, saying many firms have awaited payment for more than a year.
Contractors alleged that government policies and bundled tenders favor large companies over small and medium contractors.
Opposition leaders Rohit Pawar and Naseem Khan supported the protesters and cited unpaid bills exceeding ₹90,000 crore.
The state Cabinet approved a mechanism to clear Public Works Department dues, while Minister Ashish Jaiswal said the government would resolve the arrears.
- Who
- The Maharashtra State Government Contractors’ Federation, government contractors, engineers, opposition leaders Rohit Pawar and Naseem Khan, and the Maharashtra government.
- What
- Contractors held a protest demanding payment of pending government bills and objecting to policies they say favor large companies.
- When
- The protest took place on Tuesday; Rohit Pawar’s related post was dated August 18, 2026. The federation announced a two-day statewide agitation.
- Where
- Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, with related demonstrations across Maharashtra.
- Why
- Protesters said government payments had been delayed, causing financial distress, and alleged that bundled tenders disadvantaged small and medium contractors.
Contractors and Opposition
Maharashtra Government
Pending payments
Contractors and Opposition
Contractors and opposition leaders said bills worth roughly ₹86,662 crore to more than ₹90,000 crore remain unpaid, causing severe financial distress.
Maharashtra Government
The government said it was committed to resolving the dues and approved a mechanism to clear Public Works Department arrears.
Effect of government spending
Contractors and Opposition
Contractors alleged that spending on welfare schemes and election-related freebies affected funds available to pay their bills.
Maharashtra Government
Minister Ashish Jaiswal said the government was implementing welfare schemes and allocating substantial funds to different sections of society, including farmers.
Tender policies
Contractors and Opposition
Contractors alleged that projects were being combined into larger tenders, making it harder for small and medium firms to qualify and favoring large companies.
Maharashtra Government
The government’s response in the article focused on clearing arrears and did not address the contractors’ tender-policy allegations.
- Reported pending dues
- Approximately ₹86,662 crore, according to the contractors’ federation and the protest report.
- Alternative estimate
- Rohit Pawar and Naseem Khan cited unpaid bills exceeding ₹90,000 crore.
- Protest location
- Azad Maidan, Mumbai.
- Protest duration
- A two-day statewide agitation.
- Payment delays
- Contractors said some payments have been pending for more than a year; Pawar alleged some bills were unpaid for three to eight years.
- Government response
- The state Cabinet approved a mechanism to clear Public Works Department dues.
- Government statement
- Minister of State for Finance Ashish Jaiswal said the government was committed to resolving the pending dues.