IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA Arbitration Case No. 217/2025 Decided on: 01.08.2025 Pankaj Thakur …..Petitioner. Versus State of H.P. & Anr. ....Respondents .……………………………………………………………………………… Coram Ms. Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the petitioner : Ms. Srishti Verma, Advocate. For the respondents : Ms. Menka Raj Chauhan, Deputy Advocate General. Jyotsna Rewal Dua , J Notice. Ms. Menka Raj Chauhan, learned Deputy Advocate General, has put in appearance on behalf of the respondents. 2. With the consent of learned counsel for the parties, the matter is taken up for disposal at this stage. 3. By way of this application moved under Section 29-A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act (the Act in short) 1996, prayer has been made for extending the time to complete the pending arbitral proceedings by extending the mandate of Arbitral Tribunal. 1 Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? yes 4. From the pleadings, it appears that the dispute on account of alleged non-payment of bills, additional over-heads incurred by the petitioner and also on account of alleged withholding of petitioner’s earnest-money is pending adjudication with learned Arbitrator. The arbitral proceedings could not be completed within the prescribed time schedule. Vide order dated 09.01.2025, passed by the learned Arbitrator, direction was issued to the parties to seek further extension in time to enable him to decide the reference. Upon notice of this petition, learned Deputy Advocate General has placed on record office instructions dated 31.07.2025 in Arbitration Case No. 218/2025, from respondent No.2, conveying no objection for extension in time for completion of arbitral proceedings. 5. Taking holistic view of the matter, time to complete the arbitral proceedings is extended by further six months from today. The mandate of learned Arbitrator shall accordingly stand extended. Parties to apprise learned Arbitrator about passing of this order. The petition stands disposed of in the above terms. Pending miscellaneous application, if any, shall also stand disposed of. Jyotsna Rewal Dua Judge 01st August, 2025 (rohit)