JUDGMENT

Altamas Kabir, J. —

1. Leave granted.

2. An Agreement No.GE/CHD-61/88-89 was entered into between the Appellant, Union of India, and the Respondent, M/s Neelam Engineering & Construction Company, for providing additional security lighting arrangement in various zones at TBRL Range, Ramgarh, near Chandigarh. Certain disputes arose between the Appellants and the Respondent which were referred to the arbitration of Col. T.S. Plaha, appointed as the sole Arbitrator for adjudication of the said disputes between the parties. The sole Arbitrator made his Award on 27th January, 1996, for a sum of Rs.1,70,020/-, together with interest at the rate of 18% per annum from 31st December, 1991, till the date of decree or payment, whichever was earlier, in favour of the Respondent. On 27th February, 1996, the Respondent filed a petition in the Civil Court under Sections 14(2), 17 and 29 of the Arbitration Act, 1940, for making the Award dated 27th January, 1996, a Rule of Court.

3. After an interval of about two years, on 3rd January, 1998, the Appellants filed an objection petition under Sections 30 and 33 of the Arbitration Act, 1940, for setting aside the Award published by the sole A