Sanjay Walmik Kale And Others v. The State Of Maharashtra Through Its Secretary And Others

2024:BHC-AUG:706-DB (1)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD 931 WRIT PETITION NO. 200 OF 2024 SHRI. SANJAY WALMIK KALE AND OTHERS

VERSUS

THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH ITS SECRETARY AND OTHERS ....

Mr Y. B. Bolkar, Advocate h/f Mr Parth S. Salunke, Advocate for Petitioners;

Mr A. B. Girase, G.P. for Respondents/State CORAM : RAVINDRA V. GHUGE AND Y. G. KHOBRAGADE, JJ.

DATE : 10th January, 2024 PER COURT:

1.

All these Petitioners claim to have supplied their own vehicles to render service to the Government Authorities during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Since the Government did not have the funds to pay their bills for having used their vehicles, they have been requesting for the clearance of their bills and payments. Respondent No.3/District Collector, Beed has communicated on 13/03/2023 to the Deputy Secretary (Assistance & Rehabilitation), Revenue and Forest Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai, to release the funds to the tune of Rs. 1,09,30,895/-, so as to clear the bills of such people, who have rendered assistance

(2) during the Pandemic. The grievance of the Petitioners is that, nothing has progressed thereafter.

2.

In view of the above, this Writ Petition is disposed off, with the following directions :

(a) Respondent No.1/ Deputy Secretary (Assistance & Rehabilitation), Revenue and Forest Department, shall initiate appropriate steps for releasing the said funds within a period of 120 days.

(b) If the bills of these Petitioners have been tendered, the Competent Authority would scrutinize the said bills and pay the amounts to these Petitioners to the extent of undisputed payments.

(c) If any amounts are disputed, the Petitioners would be at liberty to initiate recovery suit, since disputed issues cannot be entertained in a Writ Petition.

(Y. G. KHOBRAGADE, J.) (RAVINDRA V. GHUGE, J.) sjk

(3)