1. By way of instant application, a prayer has been made to condone the delay in filing the objections under S.34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 against the Arbitral Award dated 30.06.2022 passed by the Arbitral Tribunal.

2. It is averred that a signed copy of award was received by the applicant / petitioner on 4th July, 2023. Immediately thereafter the copy of award was forwarded to the concerned department, however, during this period elections to State Legislature were announced and Code of Conduct was imposed. The senior officials of the department remained busy in election duties till 8th December, 2022. Thereafter, the process was undertaken for filing of objections and the same were finally filed before this Court on 7th January, 2023.

3. S.34(3) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 , provides for limitation to file objections to the arbitral award within three months from the date of receipt of signed copy of award. It is further provided that in case the