Navi Mumbai : The Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner, Dr. Kailas Shinde, is reportedly withholding payments for completed works by contractors, allegedly due to their refusal to pay a commission. Sources close to the matter claim that bills for various civic projects, including infrastructure and cleanliness drives, have been delayed, sparking outrage among contractors who have fulfilled their obligations under municipal contracts.

The contractors allege that the delay in clearing their dues, amounting to several crores, stems from an unwritten demand for a commission, a claim that has yet to be officially substantiated. “We’ve completed the work as per the agreements, but our payments are stuck for months. There’s pressure to pay a cut, which we refuse to do,” said one contractor, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has not issued an official statement addressing these allegations. However, the move has raised questions about transparency and accountability within the civic body, especially as it comes amid ongoing efforts to modernize municipal administration under Dr. Shinde’s leadership, including the recent 100-day action plan and amnesty schemes for tax defaulters.

Local contractor associations are planning to escalate the matter, threatening protests if the payments are not released soon. “This is unfair and affects our livelihoods. We demand clarity and immediate action,” said a representative of the group.

The situation remains fluid, with no confirmation from the NMMC or Dr. Shinde’s office on the exact reasons for the delay. Observers note that if true, such practices could undermine the corporation’s recent initiatives to improve governance and public trust. Further updates are awaited as the story unfolds. While preparing this news, an attempt was made to contact Commissioner Dr. Shinde for a reaction via message, but no response was received from him.