Citation : 2023 Latest Caselaw 6005 AP
Judgement Date : 12 December, 2023
THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA
WRIT PETITION No.22373 OF 2023
ORDER:
1. The petitioner had been awarded various contract works under
subject the scheme in Chittoor District. After execution of the said
contracts, final bills were prepared for a sum total of Rs.1,09,07,231-72/-
as per the sanctioned orders. As the payment of the said amount has not
been made by the respondents, the petitioner has approached this Court
by way of this writ petition.
2. It is the contention of the petitioner that even though the
respondents admitted that the petitioner is entitled for payment of the
aforesaid sum 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. On the other hand, Counter affidavit has been filed by Respondent
No.4 while admitting about the claim of the petitioner. He would submit
that, since the budget was not released by the Government, the bills were
not paid to the petitioner. Soon after release of the budget by the
Government, the bills will be paid to the petitioner.
5. In view of the aforesaid directions of this Court in various cases and
after hearing the submissions of learned counsel for the petitioner, learned
Government Pleader for Irrigation this Writ Petition is disposed of with a
direction to the respondents to release the amount of Rs.1,09,07,231-72/-
to the petitioner along with the interest @ 6% per annum, in view of the
judgment of the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court in Writ Appeal
No.724 of 2021 and batch dated 12.10.2023, within a period of six (06)
weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It would also be open
to the petitioner to agitate his claim for higher rate of interest, if any
payable by the respondents, in an appropriate forum. There shall be no
order as to costs.
Consequently, Miscellaneous Petitions, if any, pending in this Writ
Petition shall stand closed.
_____________________________________ VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA, J
12.12.2023
SP
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