Dev Darshan Sud, J.

1. The State has challenged the award under Sec.34 of the Arbitration and conciliation Act, 1996 (hereafter referred to as the Act) made by the arbitrators in the claim petition instituted by the respondent herein. The award has been challenged on a number of grounds as detailed in the petition. One basic ground urged by the State in support of its objections is that the award deserves to be quashed and set aside as the arbitrators have not adjudicated the counter claim instituted by the objectors. The award takes note of the fact that counter claim was filed by the State and that the claimant has filed his reply to the counter claim. The record shows that hearings were held on 2.6.200, 14.9.2000, 29.9.2000, 23.10.2000, 18.11.2000, 4.1.2001, 5.1.2001 and 23.1.2001. The arbitrators record:

". . . This Forum conducted 8 hearings in the matter on 2.6.200, 14.9.2000, 29.9.2000, 23.10.2000, 18.11.2000, 4.1.2001, 5.1.2001 and 23.1.2001. With the consent of both the parties the arguments in the case were closed on 23.1.2001. At the request of the parties the site was also inspected by the tribunal in the presence of the parties on 24.2.2001. . . . "

2. The orde