1 2025:CGHC:47485 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPC No. 5984 of 2024 1 - Ajit Kumar Barmate S/o Gayaram Barmate, Aged About 44 Years R/o Ward No. 25, Mini Mata Nagar, Talapara, Bilaspur District - Bilaspur, 495001, Chhattisgarh. ... Petitioner(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Director, Department Of Panchayat And Rural Development, Indiravati Bhawan, Atal Nagar, New Raipur, District Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 2 - The Collector, District - Mungeli, Chattisgarh. 3 - Chief Executive Officer, Jila Panchayat District - Mungeli, Chattisgarh. 4 - Chief Executive Officer, Janpad Panchayat, Pathariya District - Mungeli, Chattisgarh. ... Respondent(s) For Petitioner(s) : Ms. Kavita Bansal, Advocate For Respondent/State : Shri Satish Gupta,GA For Respondent No.3 & 4: Shri Anil S.Pandey, Advocate 2 (Hon’ble Shri Justice Arvind Kumar Verma) Order on Board 16/09/2025 The present petition has been filed by the petitioner against the inaction on the part of the respondents who have released just part of payment of Rs. 1,75,000 and Rs. 1,74,268/- is pending which has not been disbursed till date. 2. Brief facts of the case are that the petitioner was the duly elected Ex-Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Umariya on 10.03.2017, respondent No.4 issued work order in favor of the petitioner fro construction of CC road in Gram Panchayat Umariya. For the said project, a budget of Rs. 3,50,000/- was sanctioned and an initial amount of Rs. 1,75,000/- was released. The petitioner successfully completed the construction work on 29.08.2019. Upon completion, the Work Completion Certificate and Quality Certificate were duly issued by respondent No.4 confirming that the project was executed satisfactorily in accordance with the sanctioned plan. 3. After completion, the petitioner submitted a demand letter seeking release of the remaining balance amount of Rs. 1,74,268/- before the respondent No.3. However, despite repeated representations and communications, the said outstanding amount has not been released till date. Due to non-release of funds, the Gram panchayat is unable to clear the dues of material suppliers and labourers engaged in the project. The parties are continuously pressurizing the petitioner to settle SUGUNA DUBEY Digitally signed by SUGUNA DUBEY Date: 2025.09.19 17:47:58 +0530 3 their payments thereby causing him undue financial hardship, mental agony and emotional stress. There exists no dispute between the parties with respect to the nature, quality or quantity of the work executed. The conduct of the respondents is not only contrary to the principles of natural justice but is also bad in law. Hence this petition. 4. Counsel for the petitioner submits that despite repeated representations the remaining balance amount of Rs. 1,74,268 /- has not been released till date and due to non release of funds, the petitioner is facing pressure from suppliers and labourers and the withholding of the undisputed amount is arbitrary unjust and violative of Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India. 5. Learned state counsel submits that the grievance of the petitioner may be considered by the competent authority in accordance with law if a representation is made and if any undisputed amount is found payable the same shall be released. 6. Having heard counsel for the parties and on perusal of the record, it is evident that the construction work was completed and the competent authority has already issued necessary certificates. The grievance of the petitioner relates to the non-release of the balance payment, which is required to be considered by the concerned authority. 7. Accordingly, without expressing any opinion on merits of the case,this petition is disposed of with a direction that the petitioner shall be at liberty to file fresh detailed representation along with relevant documents before the respondent No.3 and 4 within a period of 15 days 4 from the date of receipt of copy of this order. 8. Upon such representation being submitted, the competent authority shall consider and decide the same in accordance with law and if any amount is found to be undisputed and payable, the same shall be released in favor of the petitioner. This aforesaid exercise shall be completed within a period of three months from the date of receipt of the representation along with a copy of this order. Sd/- (Arvind Kumar Verma) Judge