Govt denies responsibility in paying Sangli contractor found dead as opposition questions pending payments
Harshal Patil was found dead hanging from a tree on his farm in Sangli on Wednesday, prompting his family to allege that he was under stress as the payment for work done under the govt's Jal Jeevan Mission was pending. The family claimed a payment of Rs 1.4 crore was due and Harshal also had a loan of Rs 65 lakh.
When asked about Harshal's death, Ajit Pawar said in Mumbai, "Govt did not award a contract to Harshal Patil. Govt awarded the work to a contractor, who had a subcontract with Harshal.
So, we do not have a direct connection with this. Govt makes payments after the main contractor sends his bills. We do not pay the subcontractor. We are not aware of what happened between the main contractor and the subcontractor."
Pawar also said the Jal Jeevan Mission is a central scheme with a 50-50 share of the Union and state govts. It involves laying pipelines and building tanks to ensure every household gets a piped water supply.
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Pawar said bills are paid as per the rules after checking the quality of work done. "It is unfortunate that a person ended his life. Police are investigating the reason for his death. His (Harshal) phone is being checked to see whom he spoke with before his death.
Police are also checking if he left behind a note," the deputy CM added.
Minister Gulabrao Patil also said he was told by the Sangli ZP that Harshal was not "associated with any work and, therefore, has no dues with the department."
Harshal's relatives and neighbours from Tandulwadi village in Sangli said the minister's statements were like rubbing salt on their wounds. "Two years ago, we did not have water in our taps. Even the children in our village know who did the water supply work. It is because of Harshal that we have water in our taps. The statement by minister Gulabrao Patil that 'Harshal Patil was not a contractor and govt does not have dues' has hurt us," said a neighbour from Tandulwadi.
The opposition parties are, however, questioning govt over payments to contractors. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, in a post on X, said, "Many Harshal Patils are dying by suicide daily in Maharashtra. The govt is committing these murders."
Speaking to reporters in Pune, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar claimed contractors have not received payment for the work done with the help of subcontractors for the past year. "Govt kept bills pending. How can one expect the subcontractors to be paid? We want justice for Harshal Patil. It is not a case of suicide but murder by the corrupt system," Rohit Pawar said, adding govt should share details of payments made to contractors till now and the dues.
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