Prem Pal Bathla v. State Of Punjab And Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT

CHANDIGARH CWP No. 12171 of 2020 DATE OF DECISION : 19.08.2020 Prem Pal Bathla

...Petitioner

Versus

The State of Punjab and others

...Respondents

CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN MONGA Present :

Mr. R. K. Girdhar, Advocate, for the petitioner.

Ms.Simran Grewal Randhawa, AAG, Pb.

(Presence marked through video conference).

ARUN MONGA, J. (ORAL) The petitioner is a government contractor who has approached this Court seeking directions for payment of Rs.3,66,011/-, including bank guarantee, security and the withheld amount, on completion of work allotted to him by the department.

2.

Learned Counsel for the petitioner submits that he was allotted the work of U/G of Marar Kalan to ChakModlewala vide EE Sanction No. 3703-09 dated 16.08.2013. He completed the said work on 16.03.2015 and submitted final bill, payment of which has been released to him, but the bank guarantee, security and the withheld amount has not been released till date. It is high time that the State honours the contract and pay the outstanding bills for expenses incurred qua the work done, contends the counsel.. 3.

Learned counsel further contends that in these circumstances, the petitioner also submitted legal notice dated 09.04.2020 (Annexure P-2) but the same has not been adverted till date. Hence, the petition. SONU 2020.08.19 17:21 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

4.

Notice of motion.

5.

Ms. Simran Grewal Randhawa, AAG, Punjab, who has joined proceedings, on service of advance copy of petition, appears and accepts notice on behalf of State of Punjab.

6.

Given the nature of order being passed, there is no necessity to seek return by any of the respondents as no further proceedings and/or pleadings are required.

7.

Without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the petition is disposed of with a direction to the competent authority/respondent No.4 to objectively consider the legal notice dated 09.04.2020 (Annexure P-2) and decide the same by passing a speaking order in accordance with law. 5.

Let the needful be done within a period of one month from the date of receipt of certified copy of the order, 6.

Disposed of in above terms.

(ARUN MONGA) JUDGE AUGUST 19, 2020 shalini Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether reportable :

Yes/No SONU 2020.08.19 17:21 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document