AR. Lakshmanan, Ag. C.J.

O.P. 4579/98 was filed by the All Kerala Government Contractors Association, Trivandrum through its Secretary, G. Anirudhan. The second petitioner is the President of the Kerala Government Contractors Association, Alleppey District. The relief asked for in this Original Petition is for a mandamus directing the Government to allot sufficient funds to clear the arrears due to the contractors of the Kerala Public Works and Irrigation Departments in the budget for the year 1998-99 and to pay interest at the rate of 24% on the matured liability after the completion of one month from the date of completion of the work.

2. W.A.1747/98 was filed by All Kerala Government Contractors Association, Kannur District Unit represented by its President and by one P.V. Kunhiraman Nambiar of All Kerala Government Contractors Association, Kannur District Unit. The Writ Appeal was filed against the judgment in O.P. 15313/97 dated 4.8.98 which was filed for a mandamus commanding the respondents not to invite fresh tenders without passing the pending bills of the petitioners and to declare that they are entitled for interest at the rate of 18% per annum on the amount du