JJM works: MSME contractors flag mounting dues, urge Pawan Kalyan’s intervention

The Navyandhra RWS Contractors’ Association has, in a letter to Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, highlighted the severe financial crisis affecting over 750 MSME contractors engaged in the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) works.

In the letter dated March 29, association general secretary Srinivasa Prasad Koneru alleged significant delays in payments and a bias in fund allocation favouring large corporate firms.

Of the ₹1,331 crore released since February 2025, corporate entities reportedly received ₹932 crore, while MSME contractors were allocated only ₹263 crore, he said. The disparity widened further in March 2026, when ₹562 crore was released to corporate firms, compared to just ₹85.88 crore for 442 MSME contractors, he added.

The association said that pending bills as of March 19 stood at ₹1,492 crore, with ₹850 crore pertaining to MSMEs alone. Contractors claim that prolonged delays pushed them into financial distress, with many accounts turning into non-performing assets and an inability to pay workers.

Warning of protests, the association urged the government to immediately clear the dues, stating that thousands of families dependent on these small businesses were at risk.