Judgment :-

R.V. RAVEENDRAN, J.

Leave granted.

2. Under an agreement dated 4.11.1992, the appellant (State of Goa) entrusted a construction work (Farm Development Works in Command Area of Water Course No.3 and 3A of minor M-3 of SIP in Salcette Taluka) to the respondent. Clause 25 of the agreement provided for settlement of disputes by arbitration, relevant portions of which are extracted below:

“Except where otherwise provided in the contract, all questions and disputes relating to the meaning of the specifications, designs, drawings and instructions herein before mentioned and as to the quality of workmanship or materials used on the work or as to any other question, claim right matter or thing whatsoever, in any way arising out of or relating to the contract, designs, drawings, specifications, estimates, instructions orders or these conditions or otherwise concerning the works, or the execution or failure to execute the same whether arising during the progress of the work or after the completion or abandonment thereof shall be referred to the sole arbitration of the person appointed by the Chief Engineer, Central Public Works Department in charge of the work at the time of dispu