<h1>State contractors allege government doubled payment clearing commissions, withheld Rs 32,000 crore dues for nearly two years</h1> A state contractors' association has alleged that the state government has doubled commissions for clearing payments compared with the prior administration and has failed to release long-pending dues for nearly two years, urging release of outstanding bills reportedly totalling Rs 32,000 crore. The association says eight public-works departments withhold payments, issuing 15-20% of dues quarterly via special credit lines, and that GST reimbursements for 2017-18 to 2020-21 remain unpaid. It also accuses the Mines and Geology Department of imposing excessive vehicle penalties and certain agencies and departments of favouring politically connected contractors through award and tendering practices.