HYDERABAD: In a relief to a contractor who was asked to pay bribes by the engineering department officials for processing the bills towards the works done by him, the Hyderabad High Court has directed the authorities to pay Rs 4.48 lakh in eight weeks along with interest to the said person who was entrusted with jungle clearance and removal of earth in Kakatiya canal under the SRSP maintenance works.
“This court is not oblivious to the fact that widespread corruption in engineering and other departments and the weapon of not processing the bills is more often being used for collection of what is known as ‘mamool’ on a percentage basis, often going up 10 to 15 per cent of the estimated work. This court also can take notice of the inflated estimates in connection with various constructions,” the court commented.
“In those circumstances, while there being no concrete material before this court about the alleged illegal gratification demands by the respondents authorities, the deafening silence maintained by the chief engineer, superintendent engineer and the executive engineer without a response lend credence to the allegations of the petitioner. While all along higher officials are only justifying as to why payment has been withheld to the petitioner, there is no effort made in the given set of facts, petitioner is required to be paid at least on receiving a specific complaint of illegal gratification demand by the two officials concerned,” the court further remarked.
Justice Challa Kodanda Ram was allowing the petition filed by M Raji Reddy questioning the action of the respondent authorities in not releasing the payments due to him for the works completed by Oct 3, 2009 as per the agreements.
He complained that there was action nor any response from any of the officials in spite of several complaints. He furnished a copy of the information availed under the RTI Act in relation to the status of work executed by him and its value.
Later, the judge found that the petitioner had completed the works within the stipulated time. The judge allowed the petition directing the authorities to pay the petitioner an amount of Rs 4.48 lakh within eight weeks with a simple interest of six per cent with effect from July 19, 2010 till the date of payment.