HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE R. RAGHUNANDAN RAO
WRIT PETITION No.14087 of 2022
ORDER:
The petitioners had been awarded the various contracts for taking up the "Neeru-Chettu" programme for Desalting, Formation of perculation tanks and Construction of check dams in YSR Kadapa District, under various Agreements. After execution of the said works, a final bill for Rs.1,12,91,863/- had been prepared and submitted to the concerned for payment. As the payment of the said amount has not been made by the respondents, the petitioners had approached this Court, by way of this writ petition.
2. It is the contention of the petitioners that even though the respondents admitted that the petitioners are entitled for payment of the aforesaid sums of money, no payment is being made. The petitioner contends that such non- payment of money is clearly arbitrary and high-handed requiring the interference of this Court.
3. This Court, in various orders, including the judgment of a learned Single Judge of this Court dated 05.10.2021 in W.P.No.10038 of 2021 and batch had taken the view that such non-payment of dues is arbitrary and that such dues need to be cleared by the respondents at the earliest.
4. The learned Government Pleader submits that the respondent authorities are verifying the claims of the petitioners and would be in a position to make payments only after such verification is being completed.
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5. In view of the aforesaid directions of this Court in various cases and after hearing the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioners, learned Government Pleader for Irrigation, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondents to complete the verification process within a period of three weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and thereafter to pay the amounts due to the petitioners depending upon the outcome of the verification, within a period of six weeks. It would also be open to the petitioners to agitate his/her/their claim for interest, if any payable by the respondents, in an appropriate forum. There shall be no order as to costs.
As a sequel, pending miscellaneous petitions, if any, shall stand closed.
____________________________ R. RAGHUNANDAN RAO, J.
27.06.2022 BSM 3 HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE R. RAGHUNANDAN RAO WRIT PETITION No.14087 of 2022 27.06.2022 BSM