Mandamus issued to direct expeditious decision on contractor's rate escalation representation due to material price surge.

J U D G M E N T

The petitioner is a contractor engaged in mainly PWD contract works. According to the petitioner, due to the outbreak of war in West Asia, the prices of the oil products, including bitumen, are increased considerably and hence, the petitioner is finding it difficult to carry out the works as per the rates already quoted by the petitioner. According to the petitioner, earlier when similar situation arose in the year 2018, the Government granted certain benefits to the contractors. In such circumstances, the petitioner is seeking escalation in the rates, taking note of the peculiar circumstances prevailing. The petitioner has already submitted Ext.P6 representation to the 2^nd respondent. The limited relief sought by the petitioner is to direct the 2^nd respondent to take a decision on the same.

After hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government pleader for the respondent, I am of the view that, this writ petition can be disposed of, taking note of the limited nature of the relief. Accordingly, it is ordered that the 2^nd respondent shall take up Ext.P6 representation and appropriate orders shall be passed within a period of one month from the date of receipt of copy of the judgment.