1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 3874 OF 1994 Dist.: SOLAPUR Sham Bapurao Thorat ...Petitioner Versus The State of Maharashtra & Ors. ... Respondents Mr. R.G. Ketkar for the petitioner Mrs. M.P. Thakar, Assistant Government Pleader, for the Respondents. CORAM: B ILAL NAZKI and S.S. SHINDE, JJ. DATE: JUNE 9, 2008 P. C.:- This case is pending in this Court from the year 1994. 2. In 1973-74, the petitioner had taken part in the Bid for Toddy Shop at Solapur. His bid was the highest, and he was supposed to pay certain amount to the respondents. He submits that he could not make the payment because of severe drought and famine condition in Solapur District in the year 1973-74. Thereafter, a notice was issued to him for 2 payment of Rs.93,522/- by way of interest. He submits that the principal amount was only Rs.23,000/-, which has already been paid by him, but the interest was Rs.93,522/-. The Government had passed certain Resolution, and in view of the drought, given concessions as far as interest was concerned, and in some cases, even the principal amount was reduced. 3. Thereafter, the petitioner made a representation on 22nd January, 1986 to the Secretary, Home Department, Maharashtra State, which has not been decided till date. No counter-affidavit has been filed. 4. In the circumstances, we allow the Writ Petition, and direct that the recovery of the interest amount be not made till the representation is decided. The Secretary, Home Department, may expeditiously decide the representation made by the petitioner. The Rule is made absolute to the above extent. BILAL NAZKI, J. 3 S.S. SHINDE, J.