I.A. Ansari, J.

1. This is an appeal against the judgment and decree, dated 02-02-2007, passed, in Money Suit No. 21 of 1997, by the learned Civil Judge (Sr. Division), No. 2, Guwahati, whereby the plaintiffs-respondents' suit was decreed, on contest, against the defendants-appellants. The case of the respondent, M/s Shanti Conductors (P) Limited, was, in brief, thus:

The respondent, M/s Shanti Conductors (P) Limited, is a private limited company, incorporated under the provisions of the Companies Act and stands registered as a Small Scale Industrial Unit (SSI Unit) with the Directorate of Industries, Assam. The company aforementioned also stands registered under the provisions of the Assam Preferential Stores of Purchase Act and the Rules framed thereunder. The appellants, Assam State Electricity Board (hereinafter referred to as 'the Board'), placed two supply orders, with M/s Shanti Conductors (P) Limited, for supply of various types of conductors, the two supply orders being, dated 31.03.92 and 13.05.92. Under the supply order, dated 31.03.92, supply was to be completed by January, 1993. The supplies were, however, completed on 23.09.93, because, according to the plaintif