Amaravati, May 13 -- Micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) contractors engaged in rural drinking water pipeline projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) have intensified protests against the Government of Andhra Pradesh, alleging discrimination in the release of long-pending payments worth crores of rupees.

Over 750 MSME contractors claimed they have been awaiting payments for nearly 20 months despite completing works assigned by the Panchayat Raj Department, reported the Times Of India.

MSME Contractors Allege Unequal Payment Distribution

The contractors alleged that although the Centre and state government released more than Rs 1,331 crore towards pending JJM payments after November 2024, a significant portion of the funds was...