APHC010012332026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3331] TUESDAY, THE THIRTY FIRST DAY OF MARCH TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE SUBBA REDDY SATTI WRIT PETITION NO: 1337/2026 Between: 1. PLR PROJECTS PRIVATE LIMITED, REPRESENTED BY ITS AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY, C. CHANDRA SEKHAR REDDY, S/O LATE VENKATA SUBBA REDDY, AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS, OCC CONTRACTOR, R/O SURVEY NO. 12 (PART). PLOT NO.2- 91/12/A/AM/G-L 5TH FLOOR, ASTRA TOWERS, KOTHAGUDA POST, KONDAPUR, HI TECH CITY, HYDERABAD ...PETITIONER AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, PANCHAYAT RAJ AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI, GUNTUR DISTRICT. 522 238 2. THE PROJECT DIRECTOR, ANDHRA PRADESH RURAL ROAD PROJECT AND PANCHAYAT RAJ, BANDAR ROAD, ZP COMPOUND, VIJAYAWADA, KRISHNA DISTRICT 520 010 3. THE ENGINEERINCHIEF, PR, VIJAYAWADA, KRISHNA DISTRICT 520 002 4. THE SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER, PR CIRCLE, CHITTOOR DISTRICT 517 001 5. THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION UNIT (P.I.U), CHITTOOR, CHITTOOR DISTRICT 517 001 p. 2 6. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP., BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND PLANNING, SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI, GUNTUR DISTRICT. 522 238 ...RESPONDENT(S): Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to issue a WRIT OF MANDAMUS declaring the action of the Respondents herein, in withholding the payment of 2nd and Part bill. Gross Amount of Rs. 1,01,48,123/- in Net amount of Rs. 91,72,260/- under Nidhi Portal No 2025-9063860, even after finalizing the bills payable to the petitioner in relation to the Package No. 76/APRRP/PRED/CTR/ROAD/016, Consists of 42 Road works in Gurramkonda, Kalakada, Kalikiri, K.V.Palli, Pileru 85 Valmikipuram Mandals of Chittoor District as per the Agreement NO./2023-24, Dt.27.07.2023 is questioned, as the same is illegal, arbitrary and violative of Articles 14, 16, 19 8 and 300-A of Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents to consider for payment of 2nd and Part bill. Gross Amount of Rs. 1,01,48,123/- in Net amount of Rs. 91,72,260/- under Nidhi Portal No 2025-9063860, with an interest 24percent per annum for the delayed amount to the petitioner in respect of execution of above- mentioned work forthwith and pass IA NO: 1 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to DIRECT the respondents to consider for payment of and Part bill, Gross Amount of Rs. 1,01,48,123/- in Net amount of Rs. 91,72,260/- under Nidhi Portal No: 2025-9063860, with an interest of 24% per annum for the delayed amount to the petitioner in respect of execution of works under “Package No. 76/APRRP/PRED/CTR/RO AD/016, Consists of 42 Road works in Gurramkonda, Kalakada, Kalikiri, K.V.Palli, Pileru & Valmikipuram Mandals of Chittoor District as per the Agreement No./2023- 24, Dt.27.07.2023” pending disposal of the Writ Petition and pass Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. SURESH KUMAR REDDY KALAVA Counsel for the Respondent(S): p. 3 1. GP FOR PANCHAYAT RAJ RURAL DEV 2. GP FOR FINANCE PLANNING The Court made the following: ::ORDER :: Heard Sri Anand Surya, learned counsel representing Sri Suresh Kumar Reddy Kalava, learned counsel for the petitioner, Sri P. Rajesh Kumar, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, Finance and Planning, for the respondents. 2. The above writ petition was filed to declare the action of the respondent authorities in not paying the 2nd and Part bill amount of Rs.91,72,260/- (gross amount of Rs.1,01,48,123/-) payable to the petitioner for the work executed by him i.e., Package No.76/APRRP/PRED/CTR/ROAD/016, consists of 42 road works in Gurramkonda, Kalakada, Kalikiri, K.V.Palli, Pileru & Valmikipuram Mandals of Chittoor District, vide Agreement No…/2023-24 dated 27.07.2023, as illegal and arbitrary. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner has completed the work, and the authorities have uploaded the bill in CFMS Portal vide CFMS Bill ID.No.2025-694075. 4. Today, when the matter is taken up for consideration learned Assistant Government Pleader for Panchayat Raj, submitted instructions, furnished by the Principal Secretary to Government, Finance Department, dated 25.02.2026 5. Thus, as seen from the instructions, a bill amount of Rs.91,72,260/- was uploaded in CFMS Portal vide CFMS Bill ID No.2025-694075 and is waiting for fund clearance. The instructions are made part of the record. 6. Since the amount payable to the petitioner is admitted and undisputed, the writ petition is maintainable. In M/s Utkal Highways Engineers and p. 4 Contractors v. Chief General Manager & Ors1, it was held at Para No.8 as under: “Be that as it may, the High court has not dealt with the merits of the writ petition. Moreover, it is not an inviolable rule that no money claim can be adjudicated upon in exercise of writ jurisdiction. Non-payment of admitted dues, inter alia, may be considered an arbitrary action on the part of respondents and for claiming the same, a writ petition may lie. Further, throwing a writ petition on ground of availability of alternative remedy after 10 years, particularly, when parties have exchanged their affidavits, is not the correct course unless there are disputed questions of fact which by their very nature cannot be adjudicated upon without recording formal evidence.” 7. Given the instructions furnished by the Principal Secretary to Government, Finance Department, the Writ Petition is disposed of directing the respondents to release an amount of Rs.91,72,260/- (Rupees Ninety One Lakhs Seventy Two Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty only) payable to the petitioner regarding execution of the aforementioned work, within six (06) months from the date of receipt of the copy of this order. No order as to costs. As a sequel, pending miscellaneous petitions, if any, shall stand closed. ___________________________ JUSTICE SUBBA REDDY SATTI Date: 31.03.2026 SNI p. 5 1 2025 SCC online SC 1400 222 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE SUBBA REDDY SATTI WRIT PETITION NO: 1337 of 2026 Date: 31.03.2026 SNI