Regular Second Appeal No. 4567 of 2011 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Regular Second Appeal No. 4567of 2011 Date of Decision: 21.11.2011 *** Punjab Mandi Board & Anr. .. Appellants VS. Jagjit Singh .. Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ARVIND KUMAR, Present:- Mr. Ajaib Singh, Advocate for the appellant. *** ARVIND KUMAR, J. This is defendant's regular second appeal against the judgments and decrees passed by the Courts below by virtue of which they have been directed to pay the interest on the delayed payment of final bill. Heard. It is apparent that untimely payment of the amount of the construction carried out by plaintiff-respondent, necessitated him to file the civil suit seeking release of the amount with interest. Although the appellants attributed the responsibility on the plaintiff, who carried out the work without its sanction, but both the Courts below on the basis of evidence led by the parties concurrently held the appellants responsible for not releasing the amount of final bill well in time. There is no reason to take a different view. So far as rate of interest awarded on the principal amount is concerned, it is apparent that the learned trial Court awarded interest @ 12% per annum for the period the payment was not released, but the learned appellate Court reduced the same to 9%, which seems to have a penal element in it, cannot be said to be excessive. No substantial question of law arises for consideration in this appeal, which is accordingly dismissed. (ARVIND KUMAR) JUDGE November 21,2011 Jiten