This application is filed, under Section 11 of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996, for appointment of an arbitrator to resolve the disputes, referred to in the applicant's letter dated 27.06.2006, arising out of the agreement dated 31.01.2000.

2. The applicant, a registered partnership firm and a special class contractor, entered into an agreement with the respondent on 31.01.2000 for excavation and removal of overburden and production of Barytes Ore (ROM), loading, transportation, unloading and leveling at Mangampeta Barytes project, Mangampeta village, near Koduru railway station, Cuddapah district. The scheduled date of completion of the work, under the agreement of three years duration, was extended upto 08.03.2005. On completion of the work, and after receiving final payment on furnishing a "no claim certificate", the applicant, in their letter dated 27.06.2006, consolidated their claims for Rs. 22 crores with interest thereon. They requested the respondent to settle the disputes within thirty days or furnish a panel of three names to enable the applicant to consider one of them as the sole arbitrator. Thereafter the applicant, vide letter dated 1