M.Prakash v. The State Of Tamil Nadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 20.06.2023 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH Mr.M.Prakash ... Petitioner .Vs.
1. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. by Secretary to Government Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department Fort St.George Chennai-09.
2. The Managing Director Chennai Metro-Water and Sewerage Board Chintadripet, Chennai-09.
3. The Zonal Engineer-III Chennai Metro-Water and Sewerage Board Madhavaram, Chennai-51.
4. The Unit Engineer-III Chennai Metro-Water and Sewerage Board Madhavaram, Chennai-51.
.. Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st to 4th respondents to settle the bill amounts of the petitioner meant for the periods from 09.10.2019 to 21.01.2022 to the tune of Rs.1,47,13,958.10/- (Rupees one crore forty seven Lakhs thirteen thousand and nine hundred and fifty eighty and ten Paisa Only) to the petitioner herein based on the representation of the petitioner dated 02.02.2023 to the 2nd respondent (acknowledged by the 2nd respondents office on 03.02.2023 within a time frame as may be fixed by this Court.
For Petitioner Mr.T.K.Ashokkumar For Respondents Mr.C.Selvaraj Additional Government Pleader for R1 Mr.Krishna Ravindran Standing Counsel for R2 to R4
O R D E R
This writ petition has been filed for the issue of a writ of mandamus, directing the CMWSSB, Chennai Metro Water and Sewerage Board to pay the amount that is due and payable against the various works done by the petitioner. 2.Heard Mr.T.K.Ashokkumar, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr.C.Selvaraj, learned Additional Government Pleader for R1 and Mr.Krishna Ravindran, learned Standing Counsel for R2 to R4.
3.A report has been submitted by the area Engineer of CMWSSB. It is seen from the report that a sum of Rs.1,03,37,377/- has already been paid to the petitioner for the works carried out. Insofar as the pending bills are concerned, the department has already in the process of verifying the relevant records and after ascertaining the claim made by the petitioner, the amounts will be settled to the petitioner.
4.In the light of the stand taken by CMWSSB, there shall be a direction to the 2nd and 3rd respondents to deal with the claim made by the petitioner and insofar as the amounts over which there is no dispute, the same shall be settled in favour of the petitioner. For those amounts where there is a dispute, it shall be agitated separately before the appropriate forum in the manner known to law. In any event, the said process shall be completed by the 2nd and 3rd respondents within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order.
5.In the result, this writ petition is disposed of in the above terms. No costs. 20.06.2023 1/2 KP Internet : Yes/No Index : Yes/No To
1. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. by Secretary to Government Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department Fort St.George Chennai-09.
2. The Managing Director Chennai Metro-Water and Sewerage Board Chintadripet, Chennai-09.
3. The Zonal Engineer-III Chennai Metro-Water and Sewerage Board Madhavaram, Chennai-51.
4. The Unit Engineer-III Chennai Metro-Water and Sewerage Board Madhavaram, Chennai-51.
N.ANAND VENKATESH, J.
KP 20.06.2023