IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.1156 of 2007 M/s Maruti Electricals, Proprietor Uday Pratap Singh, son of late Deorup Singh, resident of Patel Chauk, Bhabhua, Ward no. 11 old/2 new, P.S. Bhabhua, District- Kaimur at Bhabhua. ……… Petitioner. VERSUS 1. The State of Bihar. 2. Executive Engineer, Minor Irrigation, Division Bhabhua, District- Kaimur at Bhabhua. 3. Assistant Engineer, Minor Irrigation, Bhabhua, District-Kaimur at Bhabhua 4. Junior Engineer, Minor Irrigation, Bhabhua, District-Kaimur at Bhabhua. ……… Respondents. ----------- For the Petitioner : Pancham Lal Jaiswal, Advocate. For the State : J.C. to AAG-6. ------------ 03 19.12.2008 Counter affidavit has been belatedly filed, though not on record. Learned counsel for the State gives a copy of the counter affidavit for perusal. Having perused the same, in my view, no useful purpose would be served by keeping the writ petition pending, in view of the facts hereunder noted. Petitioner had come to this Court for a direction to the respondents for allocation of funds for payment of his long outstanding bills for repair of motor to be used in flood relief work. In the counter affidavit, it is now admitted that quotations were invited for relief work including repair of electrical motor. It is admitted that work was given to various persons including the petitioner. It is admitted that after execution of the work, bills were submitted by the Junior Engineer on 13.03.1994. It is admitted that almost one and half years later pending payment, questions were raised with regard to relief work and as such the District Magistrate, Bhabhua by his letter dated 25.09.2005 ordered 2 for stop of work and all payments and ordered an enquiry into the matter. The authorities then went into deep slumber. They woke up only after the writ petition was filed and after enquiry, the District Magistrate, Bhabhua has withdrawn the stop order and directed for payment of pending bills. Petitioner has been paid the admitted dues to the extent of Rs. 22,884/- by cheque no. 940526 dated 06.12.2008. In my view, in view of these averments, this Court is not required to carry on these proceedings any further. The petitioner, if he has any other claim remaining, he may take such appropriate action as he may be advised. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in view of the undisputed facts as stated in the counter affidavit, the delay in payment was of over 14 years when small electric shopkeeper was deprived of his payment for no fault of his. This clearly demonstrates administrative apathy in the matter and unpardonable lapse. For the same, the petitioner rightly prays for compensation. I accordingly direct that from 13.03.1994 to 04.12.2008, the petitioner would be entitled to compensation in terms of simple interest @ 6% per annum which shall be paid by the District Magistrate, Bhabhua within a period of one month from the date of production of a copy of this order before him. This disposes of the writ petition. Office is directed to trace out the counter affidavit and place it on record. Trivedi/ ( Navaniti Prasad Singh, J.)