JUDGMENT

Anil K. Narendran, J.

The petitioner, who is the successful bidder of Kuthaka right for sale of flower garlands and pooja items in Kandiyoor Devaswom Temple under the management of the Travancore Devaswom Board, for the year 2021-2022, has filed this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking a writ of mandamus commanding the respondents to exempt him from payment of contractual amount, during the period in which the temple was closed due to Covid-19 pandemic during the current financial year. The petitioner has also sought for a writ of mandamus commanding the respondents to reschedule the installments in a relaxed manner for payment of the balance contract amount.

2. Going by the averments in the writ petition, the petitioner participated in the auction conducted by the respondent for Kuthaka items in question. The tenure of the contract expires on 31.03.2022. The bid amount for sale of flower garland is Rs.2,25,500/- and that for sale of pooja items is Rs.3,87,500/-. Therefore, the total amount for two Kuthaka items is Rs.6,13,000/-. As per the terms and conditions of the contract, the said amount has to be remitted in three installments. The fi