JUDGMENT

R.V.RAVEENDRAN, J.

1. Leave granted.

2. The appellant filed an application under section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (`Act' for short) before the Madhya Pradesh High Court alleging that on execution of an agreement in regard to "maintenance of water supply and electrical works in different parts of Gwalior Municipal Corporation area", a work order was issued to him on 1.5.2002 by the respondent; that as the bills submitted by the appellant were not paid, it filed a writ petition and that petition was disposed of on 15.2.2006 with a direction to seek reference to arbitration; that clause 29 of the General Rules and directions for the Guidance of the contractor provided for settlement of disputes by arbitration; and that therefore the appellant was filing the application under section 11(6) of the Act requesting the Chief Justice to appoint an independent arbitrator to arbitrate upon the

disputes. The designate of the Chief Justice by order dated 11.5.2007

allowed the said application and appointed a retired Judge of the High Court as arbitrator.

3. Before the Arbitrator, the appella