APHC010538902025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3460] THURSDAY,THE FIFTH DAY OF FEBRUARY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION NO: 27901/2025 Between: Pitambra Books Pvt Ltd ...PETITIONER AND The State Of Ap and Others ...RESPONDENT(S) Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. P S P SURESH KUMAR Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR SCHOOL EDUCATION 2. GP FOR FINANCE PLANNING The Court made the following: 2 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION No.27901 of 2025 O R DE R: 1. The Writ Petition is filed questioning the action of the Respondents in not releasing the amount of Rs.67,25,83,727,40/- along with interest for supply of the books as per the Work Order No.50/T1/2023, dated 07.03.2024, 20.05.2024 and 27.05.2024 as illegal and arbitrary. 2. The facts leading to this case are as follows: Respondent No. 4 had issued a tender vide e-procurement No. 50/T1/2023, dated 02.02.2024, for printing and supply of textbooks and workbooks to the students studying in government schools of Andhra Pradesh for the academic year 2024-2025. The petitioner was declared as the successful bidder and had supplied the books in terms of the Work Order. The Petitioner supplied 1,36,24,379 books at a total cost of Rs. 68,39,30,449/-. A satisfactory Work Completion Certificate was also issued on 03.09.2024. 3. In the Counter Affidavit, the Respondent No. 4 stated that 1398 were short supplied by the Petitioner, but the majority of the supply by the Petitioner is not in dispute. At paragraph No.12 of the Counter Affidavit, it is stated that bills were submitted to the Respondent No.5, 3 which in turn processed and submitted to the Government for clearance of eligible payment vide Lr.Rc.No.SS-16021/68/2023-CMO dated 12.07.2024 and requested for administrative approval for release of Rs.944.53 crores which is inclusive of the administrative bills of the Petitioner and as soon as clearance is received from the Finance Department, the amounts due to Petitioner would be paid without delay. 4. Subsequent to the filing of the Writ Petition, the learned Government Pleader produced G.O.Ms.No.1 SE (PROG-II) Department, dated 19.01.2026, wherein budgetary sanction was allotted by the State Government for the amount of Rs.944.53 crores for procurement and supply of Student Kits to students studying Classes I to X in all Government Management Schools for the academic year 2024-2025, i.e., pertaining to purchase orders given on 15.03.2024. It is further stated that in view of financial concurrence from the Finance Department, the admitted amount due to the Petitioner would be cleared as expeditiously as possible. 5. Learned counsel for the petitioner relies on Clause No. 17 of the Work Order, which provides for 9% per annum simple interest for the delayed payments, and seeks for grant of interest also on the admitted amounts. It is further submitted that due to the non-payment of dues to 4 the Petitioner, the Petitioner is suffering from severe stress caused by the suppliers of raw material. 6. Heard the learned counsel for the Petitioner. 7. Taking note of the submissions of the learned counsels, the Writ Petition is disposed of with the following directions: i) The Respondents are directed to disburse the admitted amount due to the Petitioner as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of the Order. ii) The Respondents are also directed to examine the claim of interest for the delayed payments claimed by the Petitioner independently. iii) There shall be no order as to costs. . As a sequel, the miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending in this Petition shall stand closed. _______________________ JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY Date: 05.02.2026 eha 5 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION No.27901 of 2025 Dated: 05.02.2026 eha