Jaipur: PHED contractors have deferred their agitation for seven days but warned they will withdraw manpower if the state govt fails to release Rs 1,000 crore by June 25.“We have only deferred the protest, not withdrawn,” said Papu Ram Dara, senior member of the All-Rajasthan PHED Contractors Association.The association had announced Tuesday morning that contractor manpower would be withdrawn indefinitely from Wednesday. After day-long talks, the govt issued a six-point declaration, following which the association paused the stir late Tuesday.“The declaration clearly mentions that the state govt would pay Rs 1,000 crore by June 25, 2026 and another Rs 1,000 crore by July 10, 2026. Until and unless we get this Rs 2,000 crore out of the existing Rs 4,500 crore, we would be compelled to withdraw manpower,” said Om Prakash Bishnoi, president of the association’s Sangharsh Committee.On Wednesday, TOI visited several pumphouses under PHED sub-division offices and found contractor workers on duty. Many said they were waiting for long-pending wages and hoped the latest agreement would lead to payments within the next fortnight.“My employer has not paid me full month wages for the last two months. Before that I had not received full wages for at least three to four months. We are hopeful after a fresh agreement on Tuesday we will get our outstanding wages soon,” said Daulat Ram, a pump operator.Senior PHED officials said clearing Rs 2,000 crore within 20 days would be a difficult task. The finance department is working to arrange funds, while PHED has opened talks with the Jal Shakti Ministry to secure the Centre’s pending share under the Jal Jeevan Mission.“For a few technical issues the Central fund has been pending for a long time. We are trying to break the ice and urging the union govt to transfer at least portion of the JJM funds as soon as possible,” said a senior PHED official.
