IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE OF ANDHRA PRADESH: AT HYDERABAD TUESDAY, THIS THE NINTH DAY OF FEBRUARY TWO THOUSAND AND TEN PRESENT: THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION Nos.1010, 1011, 1029 AND 1030 OF 2010 Between: W.P. No.1010 OF 2010: Ravi Venkateswara Rao S/o. Ganga Raju …. Petitioner AND The government of Andhra Pradesh, Rep. by its Chief Principal Secretary, Department of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWS & S) Secretariat, Hyderabad and Others. …. Respondents W.P. No.1011 OF 2010: M. Rami Reddy S/o. Sarreddy …. Petitioner AND The government of Andhra Pradesh, Rep. by its Chief Principal Secretary, Department of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWS & S) Secretariat, Hyderabad and Others. …. Respondents W.P. No.1029 OF 2010: N. V. Satyanarayana Reddy S/o. N. Venkata Reddy …. Petitioner AND The government of Andhra Pradesh, Rep. by its Chief Principal Secretary, Department of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWS & S) Secretariat, Hyderabad and Others. …. Respondents W.P. No.1030 OF 2010: M.V. Ganapathi Raju S/o. Subba Raju …. Petitioner AND The government of Andhra Pradesh, Rep. by its Chief Principal Secretary, Department of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWS & S) Secretariat, Hyderabad and Others. …. Respondents THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION Nos.1010, 1011, 1029 AND 1030 OF 2010 COMMON ORDER: The petitioners were entrusted with the various works by different authorities of the Panchayat Raj Department in the year 2007. The petitioners have executed the works as per the stipulation and submitted the bills for payment. These writ petitions are filed alleging that the respondents have not settled the bills so far. 2. On behalf of the respondents, counter affidavits are filed. The averments that they have entrusted the works and the works have been executed are not denied. Further it is stated that at the time of entrustment of the works itself, it is made clear that the amounts would be paid subject to the availability of funds and that as on now, the funds are not available. 3. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Government Pleader for Panchayat Raj. 4. Three years have elapsed, ever since the petitioners were entrusted the works and the execution thereof was completed. Failure or refusal to pay the bills for a long period would certainly cause hardship to the petitioners. Normally, the works are allocated within the limits of the amount sanctioned in the budget. The respondents cannot take advantage of the clause, relating to availability of funds. In case, the works are launched without verifying the financial condition, it amounts to mal-administration. The delay on such grounds is prone to give rise to several unlawful practices, such as lobbying. The respondents cannot further delay the payment of the amounts. 5. Hence, the writ petitions are disposed of directing the respondents to settle the bills of the petitioners, preferably, within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs. ______________________ L. NARASIMHA REDDY, J February 09, 2010. Note: Issue CC in one week. B/o.KTL.