Md. Haidar Ali v. The State Of Bihar
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.10974 of 2024 ====================================================== Md. Haidar Ali, age 60 years, Male, Son of- Abdul Rahman, Resident of Ward No. 13, P.O.- Hatidah, P.S.- Barauni, District- Begusarai, Bihar. ... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1.
The State of Bihar through the Principal Secretary, Government of Bihar. 2.
The Secretary Finance Department, Government of Bihar. 3.
The District Magistrate, Begusarai, Government of Bihar. 4.
The Additional District Magistrate, Begusarai, Government of Bihar. 5.
The District Agriculture Officer, Begusarai, Government of Bihar. 6.
The Project Director Agriculture Technology Management (ATMA). Begusarai, Bihar.
7.
The Block Officer, Barauni, Begusarai, Government of Bihar. 8.
The District Account Officer, Begusarai, Government of Bihar. ... ... Respondent/s ====================================================== Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s :
Mr. Rashmi Bharti, Advocate.
For the Respondent/s :
Mr. Addl. Advocate General (4).
====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A. ABHISHEK REDDY ORAL ORDER 21-11-2024 Heard learned counsel for the parties.
2. The present Writ Petition has been filed for the following reliefs:- "For issuance of appropriate writ, order/direction commanding the Respondent authorities to decide who will be responsible for the payment of petitioner. Which was admitted dues of Rs.
5,94,042.50/- for supply of waterproof tents, chair, light and other electronic items required for the ceremony of Bihar Diwas, 2011 at Gandhi Stadium, Begusarai on the written direction of Respondent No. 4 and pay the admitted
Patna High Court CWJC No.10974 of 2024(3) dt.21-11-2024 2/3 dues amount with interest to the petitioner."
3. It is the case of the petitioner that a bill amount of Rs. 5,94,042.50/- was raised by the petitioner for supplying the waterproof tents, chair, light and other electrical times which were required for the ceremony of the Bihar Diwas at Gandhi Stadium, Begusarai. That the said supply was made on the written directions of the Respondent No. 4. Though the petitioner has supplied the required materials and the bills were submitted, the amount due to the petitioner are not paid till date. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner has, therefore, prayed this Court to give a suitable directions to the respondents for making the necessary payments.
4. In the counter affidavit filed on behalf of the Respondent Nos. 3, 4, 7 and 8, the above facts are not denied. However, it is stated that the authorities have written a letter to the General Administration Department, Government of Bihar for making the necessary funds available so as to enable the authorities to pay the bill amounts to the petitioner. Further, it is stated that as soon as they get a suitable direction from the Agricultural Department, they will make the necessary payments. The authorities having issued a work order for supply of the waterproof tents, chair, light and other electronic items
Patna High Court CWJC No.10974 of 2024(3) dt.21-11-2024 3/3 cannot procrastinate the payment of the bill amount due to the petitioner for years together. The State cannot sit on the bills of the contractors and make them wait endlessly for making the payments. This Court is of the opinion that ends of justice would be served if the District Magistrate, Begusarai is directed to look into the entire issue and to see that the bill amounts due to the petitioner are paid as expeditiously as possible preferably within a period of eight weeks from the date of the receipt of the copy of this order. The District Magistrate shall endeavour to pay the bill amount irrespective of the fact as to whether they have received any permission from the Agricultural Department or not.
5. With the above directions, the present writ petition stands disposed of.
(A. Abhishek Reddy, J) shakir/- U