IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.9197 of 2009 M/S NISHA PRAKASHAN Versus THE STATE OF BIHAR & ANR With CWJC No.9224 of 2009 M/S DEVENDRA PRAKASHAN Versus THE STATE OF BIHAR & ORS With CWJC No.9252 of 2009 M/S SOMAR PRAKASHAN Versus THE STATE OF BIHAR & ORS ----------- 2 5.8.2009 As the issues involved in all these writ petitions are common and as such they have been heard together and are being disposed of by this common order. The petitioners state that by letter no. 77 dated 8.3.2005 the Secretary, District Literacy Committee, Muzaffarpur placed orders for supply of different books numbering 3073 as would be evident from Annexure-1. Each of the petitioners pursuant to the supply orders got the respective books printed and supplied them in time. Thereafter they prepared the bills with all requisite documents and submitted it to the respondent no.2 for making payment. However, when no payment was made, the petitioner made various requests for making payment by different letters. The petitioners further submit that sufficient funds have been allocated to the Literacy Committee by the Central Government. The due amount of petitioner in C.W.J.C.No.9197 of 2009 is Rs.1,19,847.00; petitioner 2 KHAN in C.W.J.C.No.9224 of 2009 is Rs.47,938.80 whereas petitioner in C.W.J.C.No.9252 of 2009 is Rs.1,09,859.75. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners are entitled to 18% interest on the aforesaid amount as the same has not been paid in time. He further submits that the delay in payment has caused irreparable loss to the petitioners as they are not able to rotate its money in any other business purpose. Learned State counsel submits that the bills of the petitioners need verification. After hearing counsel for the parties, this court is of the view that if the petitioners file a representation before the Secretary, District Literacy Committee, respondent no.2, who would dispose of the same within two months from the date of its filing and would pay the admitted dues within one month thereof. It will be open to the petitioners to make a prayer for grant of interest on the admitted dues. With the aforesaid observations and directions, this writ petition stands disposed of. (S.P.Singh,J)