Komatlapalli Veerraju, vs The State Of Andhra Pradesh,
2022 Latest Caselaw 4782 AP

            HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE R. RAGHUNANDAN RAO

                    WRIT PETITION No.19974 of 2022

ORDER:

The petitioners have been awarded various contracts for

taking up the "Neeru-Chettu" programme for Desilting of Attili

Canal, Moyyeru Channel and Murgucodu of Chitakapadu drain

in Undrajavaram Mandal and Atthili Mandal, West Godavari

District, under various Agreements. After execution of the said

works, a final bill for Rs.10,38,554/- 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 have 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 petitioners contend 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 payment only after such

verification is completed.

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 amount due to the petitioners

depending upon the outcome of the verification, within a period

of six weeks. It is clarified that in the event of the verification

process not being completed within the aforesaid period of three

weeks, the respondents shall pay the amount due to the

petitioners, without insisting upon any further time for

verification. 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.

01.08.2022 RKS

HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE R. RAGHUNANDAN RAO

WRIT PETITION No.19974 of 2022

01.08.2022

RKS