JUDGMENT :

RAJESH SHANKAR, J.

1. The present writ petition is taken up today through Video Conferencing.

2. The present writ petition has been filed for issuance of direction upon the Executive Engineer, Drinking Water and Sanitation Division, Adityapur, Saraikella-Kharsawan, the respondent no. 2 to make payment of the admitted dues of Rs. 15,34,301.42/- and Rs. 19,22,680.69 and Rs. 20,95,264.07/- (total amounting to Rs. 55,52,246.18/-) for the financial years 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 respectively in respect of the annual repair and maintenance work carried out by the petitioner under “Ghaghidih Jail Water Supply Scheme.” Further prayer has been made for issuance of direction upon the respondent- authorities to make payment of interest at the rate of 18% per annum with effect from the date when the said total amount of Rs. 55,52,246.18/- had fallen due till the date of its actual payment to the petitioner.

3. The factual background of the case as stated in the present writ petition is that the petitioner is a registered contractor under the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, Government of Jharkhand and is primarily engaged in the work of repair and maintenance under the “Gha