DEVAN INFRA PRIVATE LIMITED vs The State of Andhra Pradesh,

HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE R.

RAGHUNANDAN RAO WRIT PETITION No.2522 of 2023 ORDER: The petitioners have been awarded the contract for Removal of water Hyacinth of Madamanur big tank supply in Manubolu Mandal, SPSR Nellore District, vide Agreement No.326/DN/2021-22 dated 15.12.2021.

After execution of the said work, a final bill for Rs.3,82,837/- 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 2 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. 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 their claim for 3 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 25.04.2023 RKS