JUDGMENT :

SHAJI P. CHALY.

The appeal is preferred by the respondents in W.P.(C) No. 2465 of 2020 challenging the judgment of the learned single Judge dated 07.04.2021, whereby the writ petition was allowed and held as follows:

11. The conditions of e-tender contained in Ext.P1 would show that the starting point of a lorry for transportation would be taken as the District Headquarters (Principal Agricultural Office) from where the seeds are loaded. The bill of the contractor should contain kilometre readings taken from the starting point and at the destination, separately. Ext.P1 would further show that the bills submitted by the petitioner should be supported by copy of a bill issued by the Authority, issue note from the godown/farm/seed-farm from where the seeds are loaded and seed receipts having seal and signature of Krishi Bhavan.

12. In fact, there is no serious dispute that invoices were sanctioned based on odometer/kilometre readings at the time when the petitioner entered into contract and up to the year 2019. The system of adopting Google map readings for calculation of distance of transportation was introduced for the first time in the year 2019 only. The amount claimed by t