Contractor’s kin allege financial stress over unpaid Jal Jeevan Mission bills

Kolhapur, July 24, 2025 – A 35-year-old government contractor from Sangli district was found dead under suspicious circumstances on Wednesday. Family members allege he faced extreme financial stress. They cited unpaid government bills worth ₹1.4 crore and personal debts of ₹65 lakh. The deceased, Harshal Patil from Tandulwadi village in Islampur taluka, worked on water infrastructure projects. These were part of the Jal Jeevan Mission, a key rural water supply scheme.

Patil’s relatives believe he died by suicide due to mounting financial pressure from unpaid bills and creditor demands. Meanwhile, police have not yet found a suicide note. However, they are continuing their investigation and recording statements from his family. They are recording family statements and continuing the investigation. Assistant Inspector Vikram Patil confirmed that the case is being treated as a possible suicide. Sangli Zilla Parishad CEO Trupti Dhodmise stated that Harshal Patil was not a registered government contractor, raising concerns over possible subcontracting practices. “Some major contractor may have leased out work to him, which we need to find out.”

Patil had reportedly undertaken pipe-laying and tank construction work across the region. His death has highlighted long-standing grievances within the contractor community about delayed payments. Many contractors across Maharashtra say they are waiting for clearance of dues by various departments.

Since January, contractor associations have been holding protests, demanding payment of long-pending bills. A major statewide strike took place on July 4.Milind Bhosale, state president of the contractor’s association, claimed he had written over 25 letters to the government regarding unpaid dues totaling ₹90,000 crore. “The Jal Jeevan Mission alone has pending bills of ₹12,000 crore. PWD has ₹46,000 crore pending,” Bhosale said.“Although we met Minister Shinde Bhosale in March, no resolution followed.”

The incident highlights a growing crisis in Maharashtra’s public works system, where contractors frequently work without timely payments. Harshal Patil’s family has called for justice, and many in the contractor community view his death as a tragic symbol of the mental and financial stress caused by long-pending government dues.

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