JUDGMENT :

R. BANUMATHI, J.

1. Leave granted.

2. This appeal arises out of the impugned judgment and order dated 10.05.2019 passed by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh in FAO No.4045 of 2003 in and by which the High Court has dismissed the appeal of the appellant herein filed under Section 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act and affirmed the Award passed by the Arbitrator including with regard to the rate of interest awarded by the arbitrator at the rate of 18% per annum.

3. The respondent-M/s. Kalsi Construction Company was allotted a contract for construction of Advanced Pediatrics Centre of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Research and Education. Regarding the completion of the work, dispute arose between the parties which was referred to arbitration. Learned Arbitrator by the Award dated 31.12.1999 awarded an amount of Rs.1,17,00,000/-(Rupees one crore seventeen lakhs) against claim of Rs.10,63,00,000/-(Rupees ten crore sixty three lakhs) made by the respondent-Company. After referring to Section 31(7) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act which vests authority to award the interest, learned Arbitrator awarded interest at the rate of 18% per annum. C