JUDGMENT

1. Both these applications under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (hereinafter referred to as “the Arbitration Act”) have been filed seeking appointment of a sole arbitrator to go into the disputes and differences that the petitioner claims to have arisen out of two separate contract agreements entered into by and between the parties.

2. The facts in brief may be noted at the outset.

3. The petitioner is a consortium of two companies i.e. M/s JSC OGCC KazStoryService, a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan and KazStoryService Infrastructure India Private Limited incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956. The said consortium has been formed by an agreement dated 1st July, 2010 for the purposes of executing a contract that was to be awarded by the respondent for Pipeline Laying and Terminal Works for Dabhol – Bangalore Pipeline Project.

4. According to the petitioner, the respondent had floated a Tender for the said project in the year 2010 and the entire work was divided in 10 Spreads (A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J). Whil