Judgment :-

R.V. Raveendran, J.

Leave granted. Heard the parties.

2. The appellants awarded a construction contract to the respondent. The work which had to be completed within 18 months from 18.3.1985, was actually completed on 30.11.1989. The delay led to claims by the contractor and counter-claims by the employer (appellants). The disputes were referred to a sole Arbitrator who made an awarded dated 22.06.2000. The Arbitral Tribunal rejected the counter claims of the appellants. It awarded in all Rs. 14,94,000/- with interest to the respondent-contractor. The operative portion of the award is extracted below:

"I award Rs. 14.94 lacs (Rupees Fourteen Lacs Ninety Four Thousand only) along with interest at the rate of 12% with effect from 19.12.1990 till the date of award in favour of M/s. S.L. Arora and Company, 5E-10, Bunglow Plot, N.I.T., Faridabad(Claimant) to be paid by the Haryana PWD B&R Branch Department (respondent). In case the total amount of award together with this interest is not paid within 30 days from the date of making this award, future interest shall be paid @18% per annum on the sums due to the claimant from the date of Award upto the actual date of payment.....