JUDGMENT

The Petitioner is a partnership firm and is engaged in the construction work including the works for the Government Departments. The petitioner was entrusted with the work at the instance of the Kerala Water Authority, namely, “KIIFB- Augmentation of WSS to Kollam Corporation- Phase II- Package III- Supplying, laying, commissioning and maintaining 1016 mm diameter 8.8 mm thick MS Clear Water Pumping Main from Treatment Plant at Vasoorichira to OHSR at Manichithodu, 914 mm diameter 8.0 mm thick MS Clear Water Gravity Main from Manichithodu to Anandvalleeswaram and construction of 16 Mtr Staging 54LL OHSR at Manichithodu”. Ext.P1 is the agreement entered into in this regard. The petitioner completed the work on 31.03.2023. However, according to the petitioner, the differential amount receivable by the petitioner towards the increase in the rate of GST was not paid by the respondents, despite the fact that they are under the contractual obligation to pay the same. Besides, the security deposit furnished by the petitioner was also not released. This writ petition is submitted by the petitioner in such circumstances seeking the following reliefs:

“A. Issue a Writ of Mandamus or