JUDGMENT

This writ petition is submitted by the petitioner, a civil contractor who entered into an agreement with the 2^nd respondent-Municipality, as evidenced by Ext.P3 agreement dated 19.03.2020, for the purpose of construction of a Science Lab and staircase in GMGHS, Thiruvalla. The site was handed over to the petitioner on 16.02.2021, and the petitioner had completed the work on 28.09.2021, which was within the tenure of the contract. Ext.P8 is the completion certificate evidencing the same. Thereafter, Ext.P9 bill was raised as the final bill for the remaining amount to be paid, which comes to Rs.3,05,000/-. The grievance of the petitioner is that, despite the fact that Ext.P9 was issued as early as on 19.01.2022, the amounts covered by the same are not disbursed so far, despite repeated requests and reminders. This writ petition is submitted by the petitioner in such circumstances seeking the following reliefs:

“(i) issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction commanding respondents 2