M/S Vishal Chawla Contractor v. State Of Punjab And Others

-1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision: 30.03.2022 M/s Vishal Chawla Contractor -Petitioner

Versus

The State of Punjab and others -Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJ MOHAN SINGH

Present:

Mr. Chirag Girdhar, Advocate, for the petitioner.

**** RAJ MOHAN SINGH, J. (Oral) Petitioner has preferred this petition for issuance of an appropriate writ, order or direction especially in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents to release balance payment of Rs.21,76,154/- along with interest qua the work done by the petitioner.

Petitioner is a government contractor and has executed various work assignments assigned to it by the respondents from time to time. Different construction works were allocated to the petitioner vide allotment letter on 28.01.2015.

According to the petitioner, the petitioner has already completed the work assignments within the time prescribed.

-2After completion of the work, final bills have already been submitted, but balance payment has not been released till date. Defect liability period has also expired.

Precisely for the claim in question, the petitioner has already approached the respondents by way of filing numerous representations including legal notice dated 28.02.2022 before respondent No.5.

At this stage, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner would be satisfied in case its legal notice is directed to be decided by respondent No.5 by passing a speaking order in accordance with law.

Notice of motion.

On the asking of the Court, Ms. Simaran Gerewal, A.A.G., Punjab accepts notice on behalf of the respondents. In view of nature of order which this Court proposes to pass, there is no necessity of calling upon any response from the respondents at this stage, as no order prejudicial to the interest of any party is being passed.

This writ petition is disposed of with a direction to respondent No.5 to take note of legal notice dated 28.02.2022 got issued by the petitioner and pass appropriate order in accordance with law, preferably within a period of one month from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order.

-3If the entitlement of the petitioner is established with reference to record, then the payment be released to the petitioner forthwith. Any delay in disbursing the payment shall result in imposition of interest @ 6% per annum for the delayed payment from the date of accrual till final realization of the same.

If the entitlement of the petitioner is not found, then the representation be decided by passing a speaking order and the same be communicated to the petitioner within a reasonable time.

30.03.2022 (RAJ MOHAN SINGH) Jyoti Sharma JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether reportable :

Yes/No