143-148 IN THE HIGH COURT OF MANIPUR AT IMPHAL MC (WP(C)) No.563 of 2024 with MC (WP(C)) No.477 of 2023 with MC (WP(C)) No.478 of 2023 with MC (WP(C)) No.564 of 2024 with WP(C) No.925 of 2023 with WP(C) No.926 of 2023 Member Secretary, State Water & Sanitation Mission, PHED, Manipur & 2 Ors … Petitioners -Versus- Ayekpam Somen Singh & 5 Ors … Respondents BEFORE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE A.GUNESHWAR SHARMA 6.8.2025 Heard Mr.Ajoy Pebam, learned counsel for the petitioners, Ms.Ch.Sundari, learned Government Advocate for the State respondents and Mr.S.Biswajit, learned senior counsel assisted by Ms.Nikita, learned counsel for the private respondents. The petitioner in WP(C) No.925 of 2023 was appointed as Body to run rural water supply scheme in Wakching Khullen vide order dated 25.3.2021 for a term of two years. The term is to expire on 24.3.2023. Vide order dated 23.10.2023, respondent herein is appointed to carry out the scheme for another period of two years. However, vide order dated 18.1.2024, this Court stayed handing over of the scheme to private respondents vide order dated 23.10.2023. Since then the petitioner has been managing the scheme. Likewise in WP(C) No.926 of 2023, the petitioner was appointed to carry out the management of the water supply scheme of Chongtham Kona & Mutum Phibou Water Supply Scheme vide order dated 23.10.2023 for a period of two years and term is to expire on 22.10.2023. Vide another order dated 23.10.2023 the State authority have appointed the private respondent to carry out the management of the water supply scheme for another period of two years and the same order was stayed by order dated 18.1.2024 passed by this Court. Since then, the petitioners herein are running the water supply scheme till date. Mr.Ajoy Pebam, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the writ petitions can be disposed of by issuing a direction to the State respondents to appoint fresh Committee to run the scheme as per rule and till then the petitioners be permitted to carry out the scheme in terms of the interim order dated 18.1.2024. On the other hand, Ms.Ch.Sundari, learned Government Advocate submits that term of second committee is to expire in the month of October, 2025 and the second committee could not work as the work allocation was stayed by this Court vide interim order dated 1.8.2024 in both the cases. The learned Government Advocate is agreeable to the proposal of appointing fresh committee to run the scheme as per Rule and State respondents may be permitted to make interim arrangement till new appointment is made. Mr.S.Biswajit, learned senior counsel submits that the private respondents may be allowed to run the scheme as they are also appointed and selected by the same method as the petitioners herein and due to the interim order passed on 18.1.2024 the matter has been pending and due to certain factors the private respondents could not enjoy a single day for the licence they are granted to run the scheme for two years. Learned senior counsel is also agreeable that the State be given permission to appoint a new committee to run all the water supply scheme in terms of law. This Court has perused the materials on record and tenure of licence of the petitioners have expired long before in the year 2023 but they are still continuing in terms of the interim order and by doing so, the private respondents could not enjoy a single day to operate the scheme for which they are licensed by the State authority. This Court is agreeable to the submission made by the parties and in the interest of all, fresh Committee should be appointed by the concerned authority for running the rural water supply scheme. Accordingly, the writ petitions are disposed of with the direction that fresh committee be appointed for the water supply scheme of Chongtham Kona & Mutum Phibou water supply scheme and Wakching Khullen as per law, within a period of two months from the date of receipt a copy of this order. However, State Government may make arrangement till new committee is appointed. Earlier interim order is merged along with this order and Misc Cases are disposed of in terms of the order. Furnish a copy of this order to learned counsel for the parties. JUDGE Priyojit RAJKUMA R PRIYOJIT SINGH Digitally signed by RAJKUMAR PRIYOJIT SINGH Date: 2025.08.07 16:40:41 +05'30'