Page No.# 1/4 GAHC010207032024 2025:GAU-AS:9991 THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH) Case No. : WP(C)/5421/2024 SARAJU PAUL S/O- LATE NARAYAN PAUL, RESIDENT OF COUNCIL COLONY, HAFLONG, P.O. AND P.S. HAFLONG, DIMA HASAO, ASSAM VERSUS THE STATE OF ASSAM AND 3 ORS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ASSAM, HOME DEPARTMENT, DISPUR, GUWAHATI- 781006 2:THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF PRISONS ASSAM ASSAM PRISONS HEADQUARTERS KHANAPARA GUWAHATI ASSAM 781022 3:THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SUB-JAIL HAFLONG DISTRICT DIMA HASAO ASSAM 4:THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER DIMA HASAO DISTRICT HAFLON For the Petitioner(s) : Mr. B. Barooah, Advocate For the Respondent(s) : Ms. U. Das, Addl. Sr. Government Advocate Page No.# 2/4 BEFORE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE DEVASHIS BARUAH ORDER Date : 30.07.2025 Heard Mr. B. Barooah, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner and Ms. U. Das, the learned Additional Senior Government Advocate appearing on behalf of the respondents. 2. The instant writ petition has been filed by the petitioner challenging the inaction of the respondent authorities in releasing the dues payable to the petitioner for the supply of water to the Sub-Jail, Haflong. 3. The case of the petitioner herein is that the petitioner participated in a bid process pursuant to a quotation notice dated 18.08.2017 for the supply of pure water to the Sub-Jail, Haflong for use by the prisoners for drinking, washing of cloths, bathing and cooking purposes for a period of 1 (one) year i.e. 2017-2018 by quoting a rate of Rs.460/- per 1000 litre. 4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the rate offered by the petitioner was found to be reasonable and lowest and as such, the petitioner was directed to supply water to the Sub-Jail, Halfong for a period of 1 (one) year @460/- per 1000 liter vide an order dated 20.08.2017 issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Dima Hasao. It is the further case of the petitioner that as and when the respondent authorities demanded, the petitioner duly supplied water to the Sub-Jail, Haflong during the entire contract period and there was no complaint from any concerned authorities. 5. The learned counsel further submitted that, as the contract period Page No.# 3/4 was nearing its completion, the respondent concerned considering the fact that there was no issuance of any fresh tender, verbally requested the petitioner to continue to supply water to the Sub-Jail, Haflong on the same terms, conditions and rate as that of the settlement letter dated 30.08.2017 and thereupon, the petitioner continued to supply water as and when demanded by the concerned authority. The petitioner had submitted a bill of an amount of Rs.4,07,330/-. However, the respondent authorities did not make any payment for the bills raised by the petitioner in spite of repeated requests made by the petitioner. In response to the petitioner’s request, the Superintendent of Sub-Jail, Haflong vide a communication dated 16.08.2024 informed the petitioner that the pending bills of Rs.4,07,330/- had been forwarded to the Inspector General of Prisons, Assam for countersignature and fund allotment. However, till date, the petitioner has not received any amount. It is under such circumstances, the instant writ petition has been filed. 6. Ms. U. Das, the learned Senior Government Advocate has placed before this Court a communication dated 30.07.2025 issued by the Inspector General of Prisons, Assam wherein it has been mentioned that the amount so claimed by the petitioner i.e. Rs.4,07,330/- is duly admitted and the process have been initiated for payment of the said amount to the petitioner. The said document is kept on record and marked with the letter “X”. 7. Taking into account the above, this Court therefore disposes of the instant writ petition with a direction to the respondent authorities to pay the petitioner the admitted amount of Rs.4,07,330/- or such amount after statutory deductions. Page No.# 4/4 8. The said exercise be completed within a period of 6 (six) months from the date a certified copy of the instant order is served upon the respondent Nos. 2 and 3. 9. With the above observations and directions, the instant writ petition stands disposed of. JUDGE Comparing Assistant