Citation : 2023 Latest Caselaw 5683 AP
Judgement Date : 29 November, 2023
THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA
WRIT PETITION No.3809 of 2023
ORDER:
1. The petitioner had been awarded various contract works under the
subject scheme in Nellore District. After execution of the said contract, a
final bill was prepared for a sum of Rs.17,64,597/- 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, learned Government Pleader for Irrigation while
admitting about the claim of the petitioner placed on record instructions
received from the Executive Engineer, Drainage Division, Nellore dated
28.11.2023. 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.17,64,597/- 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
29.11.2023
SP
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