IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC TUESDAY, THE 18TH SEPTEMBER 2007 / 27TH BHADRA 1929 WP(C).No. 24874 of 2007(J) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ---------------- T.SASIDHARAN, UDAYAMANGALAM, PONGUMMOODU,MEDICAL COLLEGE P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY ADV. SRI.AJITH KRISHNAN RESPONDENTS: ----------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ,SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY FINANCE DEPARTMENT,GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 3. THE CHIEF ENGINEER, P.W.D..BUILDINGS AND LOCAL WORKS, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 4. THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, PWD BUILDINGS DIVISION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 5. THE DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF MUSEUM AND ZOOS, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.I.V.PRAMOD THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 18/09/2007, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ANTONY DOMINIC, J. =============== W.P.(C) NO. 24874 OF 2007 ==================== Dated this the 18th day of September, 2007 J U D G M E N T The petitioner contends that he had executed two works and that the final bill amount of Rs.3,70,032/- and Rs.3,47,180/- certified for payment is still remaining unpaid. He has made representations for payment and that have not evoked any response. 2. Learned Government Pleader submits that they are awaiting a special letter of credit from the Government for making payment. Though it may be a procedure of the Government that special letter of credit should be obtained for effecting payment, there is no justification for withholding the payment of a contractor beyond a reasonable time for this reason alone. 3. In the circumstances, this writ petition is disposed of directing that the amount admitted by the respondents to WPC 24874/07 : 2 : be due to the petitioner shall be released to him within a period of six weeks of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Petitioner is directed to produce a copy of this judgment before the respondents for compliance. Writ petition is disposed of as above. ANTONY DOMINIC, JUDGE. Rp