The court upheld the necessity for timely action on financial approvals by government departments related to pending payments.

Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to dispose off the petitioner’s representations dated 02.08.2018, 19.11.2018, 25.06.2019 and

30.08.2019 within a time frame fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner(s): Mr.G.Murugeshkumar For Respondent(s): Mr.V.Jeevagiridharan, AGP

ORDER

This Writ Petition is filed seeking a direction to the respondents to dispose of the petitioner’s representations dated 02.08.2018, 19.11.2018, 25.06.2019 and 30.08.2019 within a time frame fixed by this Court.

2. It is the case of the petitioner that the second respondent floated a tender in the year 2010 for providing a PA system, audio-visual system and CCTV arrangements for Assembly Hall in (Block A) Tamil Nadu New Legislative Complex in Omandurar Government Estate, Chennai. The bid submitted by the petitioner was accepted by the second respondent and the tender was accepted for a price of Rs.2,21,75,845/-. The petitioner Company commenced the work and submitted various bills, however, the same were not cleared. Subsequently, in May 2011, at the request of the respondents, the petitioner re-engineered the digital audio public address equipment, and reinstalled the same in Assembly Chamber at Fort St. George, incurring an additional cost of Rs.33,76,205/-. The said amount also remains unpaid.

Therefore, they submitted representations on 02.08.2018, 19.11.2018, 25.06.2019 and 30.08.2019 and further communications dated 01.10.2021 and 24.11.2025. Since no action has been taken so far, the present Writ Petition has been filed.

3. Today, when the matter was taken up, the learned Additional Government Pleader filed instructions received from the Executive Engineer (Electrical) PWD, Electrical Division-I, Chepauk, Chennai 05, wherein it has been stated as follows:

“W.P. Petition No: 6712 of 2026 M/s. Pan Intellecom

1. The Administrative sanction proposal for Rs.44.80 Crore including required additional fund for a value of Rs.20,38,68,331/- regarding Additional Quantity, Additional Item and Supplemental item was submitted to the Government by the Chief Engineer (Buildings), PWD., Chepauk, Chennai-5 vide letter no AEET6 (A)/41790/2010 dated: 24.01.2011.

2. The Government have called for additional particulars regarding the proposal on 08.04.2021, 15.07.2021 & 26.07.2021. Accordingly additional particulars sought by the Government requesting financial sanction of Rs.4,37,25,593/-

for balance payment was submitted on 09.03.2022

3. The Government have called for certain additional particulars regarding the proposal on 05.09.2022. Accordingly additional particulars sought by the Government was submitted on

27.03.2023

4. The Government have called for certain additional particulars regarding the proposal on 28.06.2023. Accordingly additional particulars sought by the Government was submitted on

26.07.2023

5. The Government have called for certain additional particulars regarding the proposal on 07.12.2023 and the same has been submitted to the Government on 12.03.2024.

6. The Government have called for certain additional particulars regarding the proposal on 19.12.2024 and the same has been submitted to the Government on 07.02.2025.

7. The Government has called for certain additional particulars regarding the proposal on 29.07.2025 and the same has been submitted to the Government on 21.08.2025.

8. For the UTM petition dated: 01.10.2021 filed by the petitioner reply has been given by the Executive Engineer (Ele), PWD, Electrical Division-1 on 04.05.2022 The proposal is under the consideration of the Government. The balance payment will be settled after getting Government order. The Government pleader may apprise the fact and render justice.”

4. The learned Additional Government Pleader relying on the said instructions, submitted