A. SATHAIAH Vs. TWAD BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner, who was a registered contractor of the respondent Board, was awarded contract for K.B. Valasai Drinking Water Supply Scheme at K.P. Valasai Village, Ramanathapuram District, in the year 2006 and he had completed the entire work in the year 2008.

(2.) THE grievance of the petitioner is that the final bill amount for the said work has not been settled. When the petitioner submitted a representation to the authorities, a reply was sent to the petitioner on 25.03.2011 stating that action would be initiated, after conclusion of the Vigilance and Anti -corruption enquiry and that the petitioner's registration as a contractor has been temporarily suspended pending investigation. Since there was stalemate in the matter, the petitioner has been continuously making representation to the authorities and the petitioner was not furnished with any information and therefore, the petitioner has sought for information under the provisions of the Right to Information Act. The respondent Board furnished a copy of the proceedings, dated 09.07.2013, issued by the Managing Director of the Board to the Chief Engineer of the Board, from which it is seen that the Vigilance and Anti -corruption Department have commenced an enquiry into the matter and the enquiry is in progress. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that this communication was sent on 09.07.2013 and till date noting has happened. The petitioner's registration has been suspended. He has been blacklisted and the money payable to him is also withheld.

(3.) IN the light of the above, the prayer sought for in this writ petition cannot be granted. Hence, the writ petition is dismissed. However, if the petitioner seeks for expediting the matter with the respondents, it is open to the petitioner to submit a representation to the respondents, which shall be dealt with in accordance with law. No costs.