(Cause Title is taken from CIS System)

Order on Board

1. The petitioner has filed this writ petition seeking following reliefs:

“10.1 That, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to direct the respondent authorities to consider the representation of the petitioner and release the payment of Rs.42,43,000/- with interest of 12% per annum in favor of the petitioner.

10.2 Any other relief, which this Hon'ble Court deems fit and proper, may also kindly be granted to the petitioner, in the interest of justice.”

2. Facts of the case, as projected in the petition, are that the petitioner has approached this Court stating that he is a registered ‘A’ Class contractor bearing Unique Identification Number CGeR07961 and is engaged in execution of Government construction works. During the Covid-19 pandemic, respondent No. 6 approached the petitioner for construction of isolation wards along with toilets at the Polytechnic College, Bhopalpattnam, in view of the urgent public health requirements. Pursuant thereto, the petitioner submitted an estimate, which was duly forwarded by respondent No. 6 to respondent No. 5 vide communication dated 14.08.2020. It is the case of the petitioner that upon receipt of approval from the competent authorities, the construction work was assigned to the petitioner and the same was completed within time. After completion of the work, the competent authority issued a Work Completion Certificate and the petitioner submitted his bills for release of payment. Thereafter, respondent No. 3, vide letter dated 07.09.2021, directed respondent No. 2 to obtain necessary administrative approval from the State Government and to release the due payment to the petitioner. In compliance thereof, respondent No. 2 forwarded the proposal to respondent No. 1 on 11.10.2021 for sanction and disbursement of payment. The proposal was again processed and forwarded between the authorities, including communication dated 15.12.2021. It is further stated that despite repeated representations made by the petitioner over the years, the payment has not been released till date. The petitioner has also obtained a Utility Certificate dated 08.09.2025 and respondent No. 6 has again sought instructions from higher authorities on 14.07.2025 for release of payment. However, even after lapse of more than five years from completion of the work, the amount due to the petitioner has not been disbursed, compelling the petitioner to approach this Court.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner had undertaken and completed the construction of isolation wards and toilets at Polytechnic College, Bhopalpattnam, during the Covid-19 period at the instance of the respondent authorities. It is contended that the work has been duly completed to the satisfaction of the authorities, and Work Completion Certificate as well as Utility Certificate have already been issued in favour of the petitioner. It is further submitted that despite submission of bills and repeated representations, the payment has not been released on the ground that administrative sanction from the State Government is awaited. Learned counsel submits that even though specific directions have been issued by the competent authorities to obtain such sanction and process the payment, no final decision has been taken till date. Learned counsel thus submits that the petitioner has been unnecessarily made to run from pillar to post for release of legitimate dues for the work executed as far back as in the year 2020, and such inaction on the part of the respondents is arbitrary and illegal. Accordingly, the petitioner is seeking a limited direction to the concerned authorities to obtain necessary administrative sanction and to disburse the due amount in favour of the petitioner within a stipulated time.

4. Learned State counsel opposes the submissions and contends that the payment to the petitioner is subject to grant of requisite administrative an