Additional District Judge Ajay Goel directed the Delhi Jal Board and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to pay Rs 2.88 lakh due to Abhay Jain, sole arbitrator of Jainco Industries, for bamboos and manhole covers supplied by him to MCD in 1996.
While passing the order, the court rued the red-tapism in the country, saying, "This is an unfortunate litigation showing red-tapism of this country where the person who had entered into a contract with the government authority and had fulfilled his obligation is still fighting with the government for the amount due to him."
It also criticised the improper advice given by the government counsel without any ground in its favour.
The case dates back to 1996, when an advertisement was issued on behalf of MCD inviting applications for supply of bamboos and manhole covers. Jain got the award and supplied the goods against which two separate bills of Rs 89,700 and Rs 84,000 were raised.
However, inspite of repeated demands and legal notice, no payment was made after which a suit was filed in April 1999.
In January 2011, a senior civil judge directed DJB, which had in 1998 taken over from MCD the work of water supply and sewarage system, to pay Jain Rs 2.88 lakh with an annual interest of 24 per cent from the date of filing of the suit.
The Delhi government through its chief secretary and Chief Executive Officer, DJB, moved an appeal against the order saying MCD is liable to pay the amount. MORE
