MUMBAI, Feb. 2 -- Welfare sops and pre-poll freebies have squeezed the state's finances, stalling payments to private contractors executing Maharashtra government schemes, with pending bills of over Rs.22,000 crore with the Public Works Department (PWD) alone. But with the cabinet approving the Trade Receivables Electronic Discounting System (TReDS) platform last Tuesday to clear dues, contractors are likely to get their bills soon with only a 4% cut. In November 2025, contractors in Nagpur had stopped the repair and renovation of government buildings and ministers and MLAs' residences before the scheduled winter legislature session to demand their uncleared bills of over Rs.150 crore from the last winter session. By November 2025, the total pending dues to contractors working on government schemes and works had reached Rs.77,770 crore. PWD alone owed over Rs.22,000 crore. After the state cabinet approved the use of the TReDS platform to resolve the issue of the PWD's pending bills, a meeting was held on Saturday between government contractors, PWD officials and TReDS representatives. Government officials told contractors that their bills would be cleared after approval from the concerned PWD authority in that district and they would get the money with a 4% cut. Relieved contractors have welcomed this. Subodh Sarode, president of the Nagpur Contractors Association, said the move would benefit small contractors and help to solve their financial crisis. "Due to pending bills with the government, small contractors were facing financial problems," he said. "We were forced to take a loan at over 8% interest. Now we will receive our own money with a cut of only 4%, and our balance sheets will also improve." Milind Bhosale, president of the Maharashtra State Contractors' Association, also welcomed the decision and said it would help small contractors emerge from their financial crisis....