Public authorities are obligated to process and release payments for completed works upon verification of execution and documentation. Inaction regarding legitimate claims for completed contracts warrants judicial intervention to ensure timely verification and disbursement of dues.

JUDGMENT AND ORDER :

DEVASHIS BARUAH

Heard Mr. S. Upadhay, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Petitioner and Mr. M. Chetia, the learned Government Advocate appearing on behalf of the Respondent Nos.1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. I have also heard Mr. P. Nayak, the learned Additional Advocate General appearing on behalf of the Finance Department.

2. The case of the Petitioner herein is that the Petitioner is aggrieved by the inaction on the part of the Respondent Authorities in not making payment of the amount to which the Petitioner is entitled to.

3. The Petitioner herein is a registered contractor of the Assam Police for procurement of stores commonly required for official use and for carrying out minor repair/construction works valued at less than Rs. 5,00,000/- in the Assam Police Headquarters and various subordinate establishments thereunder.

4. The case of the Petitioner herein is that, pursuant to various Tender Notices all dated 09.02.2021, the Petitioner submitted bids for the works namely (a) construction of Assam Type Light Vehicle Garage at MT Branch, Police Reserve, Goalpara, for an amount of Rs. 4,73,598/-; (b) construction of Assam Type Heavy Vehicle Garage at MT Branch, Police Reserve, Goalpara, for an amount of Rs. 4,82,487/-; and (c) construction of Assam Type Store Room at the MT Branch, Police Reserve, Goalpara, for an amount of Rs. 4,06,087/-. The Respondent No. 6, upon considering the comparative statements of all the bidders in respect of the said works, found the rates quoted by the Petitioner to be the lowest and reasonable. Accordingly, the Petitioner, having been found qualified for the said works, was issued three work orders dated 16.02.2021 by Respondent No. 6.

5. It is the further case of the Petitioner that, pursuant to the issuance of the work orders, the Petitioner completed the said works on 29.10.2022 to the full satisfaction of the concerned authorities. In that regard, Work Completion Certificates as well as Ex-Post Facto Administrative Approval for the said works were accorded by the competent authority. Thereafter, the Petitioner submitted the final bills amounting to Rs.4,73,598/-, Rs.4,82,487/- and Rs.4,06,087/- respectively for the aforesaid works before Respondent No. 6 on 30.10.2022.

6. The learned counsel for the Petitioner submitted that despite the lapse of almost 4 (four) years from the date of submission of the bills, the Respondent authorities have neither released nor paid the outstanding dues to the Petitioner. In that regard, the Petitioner had also submitted several representations before the Respondent Authorities from time to time seeking release of the aforesaid dues; however, the Respondent authorities have been sitting over the matter. Consequently, having no other alternative, the Petitioner has approached this Court by way of filing the present writ petition.

7. Mr. M. Chetia, the learned Government Advocate appearing on behalf of the Respondent Nos.1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 submitted that there is no denial to the fact that the works in question was issued to the Petitioner. The learned Government Advocate however, submitted that the entitlement of the Petitioner would depend upon verification to be carried out by the Respondent Authorities.

8. Upon perusal of the materials on record, this Court is of the opinion that if the Petitioner had completed the abovementioned works, the Petitioner would be entitled to the amount. However, for the same, verification on the part of the Respondent Authorities would be required.

9. This Court therefore disposes of the instant writ petition with the following observations and directions:-

(i) The Res