Sr. No.24 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR AND LADAKH AT JAMMU (Through Virtual Mode) Arb P No.91/2025 in AA No.23 of 2014 Steel Authority of India Ltd. …Petitioner(s)/Appellants. Through: Mr. Dheeraj Nanda, Advocate. Vs. M/s Kashmir Steel Rolling Mills ….Respondent(s) Through: Mr. Vastav Sharma, Advocate. CORAM: HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE O R D E R 31.10.2025 1. The applicant/ petitioner has moved this application in terms of sub-section 4 of Section 29-A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, and prays for further extension of the period specified under sub- section 3 of the Act for making an arbitral award. 2. A brief narration of facts that have led the parties to the current stage is imperative. Arbitration Application No. 23 of 2014 moved by the non- applicant- M/s Kashmir Steel Rolling Mills, was allowed by this Court on April 8, 2021, in the following terms: “10. In the facts and circumstances of the case, the disputes in relation to the above referred contract dated 26.05.2011 inter se the parties are referred to the institutional arbitration of a SCOPE Forum expecting that the Secretary of the said Forum would without any delay provide a panel of arbitrators to the parties for selection of a common arbitrator of their choice who would enter into arbitration forthwith and proceed with it after giving due notice to the parties so as to make an award in accordance with the provisions of the Act after charging the prescribed fee along with incidental expenses to be shared by the parties.” Pursuant to the aforesaid order, Arbitral Tribunal comprising of Sole Arbitrator-Sh. S.S.Parmar, IAS (Retd.), Former Chief Secretary to Government of Himachal Pradesh, was constituted by the Standing Conference of Public Enterprise (SCOPE). It is urged that the arbitration proceedings are pending before the appointed arbitrator and the petitioner herein has concluded its evidence and now the matter is fixed for 13th and 14th November, 2025 for cross examination of the respondent’s witness. It is submitted that the mandate of the arbitrator has expired on October 11, 2025 and in order to conclude the proceedings in the matter and making an award, the mandate of the arbitrator is required to be extended. 3. Ex-facie, the mandate of the Arbitrator has expired on October 11, 2025. As indicated above, the application at hand has been moved by the applicant/ respondent in terms of sub-section 4 of Section 29-A of the Act for extension of the period specified under sub-section 3 (Ibid) of the Act. 4. Learned counsel appearing for the non-applicant submits that she has no objection in extending the mandate of the arbitrator. 5. In the wake of the position indicated above and since the averments set out in the application constitute a sufficient cause, the application is allowed. The mandate of the Arbitrator is accordingly extended by a further period of four months for making an award. (ARUN PALLI) CHIEF JUSTICE Srinagar 31.10.2025 Abdul Qayoom, Secy. Abdul Qayoom Lone I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document 04.11.2025 12:13