GARAPATI CONSTRUCTIONS Vs. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Writ Petition has been filed against the action of the respondents in not releasing the amounts pertaining to the works "providing new SVS at Vidyadhara Colony, H/o Gundugolanugunta Village, D. Tirumala Mandal", West Godavari District and construction of "Providing new SVS at Venkatakrishnapuram Village, D. Tirumala Mandal, West Godavari District, in pursuance to Work Agreements dated 10.03.2019, even after successful completion of the said works and issuing stoppage of payment letter to the Bank by respondent No.3 after issuing cheque dated 28.04.2021 bearing No.268855 without giving any opportunity and without conducting any enquiry as illegal, arbitrary, violation of principles of natural justice and violation of Articles 14, 19 (1) (g) and 21 of the Constitution of India and for a consequential direction to respondent No.3 to release payment of Rs.18,56,746/- along with interest @ 12% towards the bills of the petitioner and pass such other orders in the interest of justice.

(2.) Heard Sri P.S.P. Suresh Kumar, learned counsel for the petitioner, and the learned Government Pleader for Panchayat Raj appearing for Respondents. With their consent, this Writ Petition is disposed of at the stage of admission.

(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is a Civil Contractor engaged in civil contracting services. The petitioner is doing Government Contracts i.e., construction of water tanks, laying of water pipe lines, attending civil constructions in the villages and gram panchayats etc. He obtained all sorts of licenses for this purpose and he has been doing this construction works for the past 20 years. The petitioner participated in tenders for construction of "providing new SVS at Vidyadhara Colony, H/o Gundugolanugunta Village, D. Tirumala Mandal", West Godavari District and construction of "Providing new SVS at Venkatakrishnapuram Village, D. Tirumala Mandal, West Godavari District and he was declared as higher bidder and accordingly, respondent No.3 has executed two separate agreements with the petitioner on 10.10.2019 and thereafter, respondent No.3 issued work orders to the petitioner to execute the works.