Hyderabad, Mar 19 — The Telangana High Court on Thursday issued contempt notices to the state’s Finance and Roads & Buildings (R&B) departments for failing to comply with an earlier order to pay Rs 1.34 crore to a contractor.
The contempt proceedings were filed by S. Narsimha Reddy, a registered Special Class contractor, who alleged that the authorities had ignored the High Court’s directives in a previous writ petition regarding pending payments. The case relates to the reconstruction of the HP Vented Causeway from Wanaparthy to Jedcharla Road in Nagarkurnool district, with the project valued at Rs 2 crore and completed in October 2021. Despite submission of all necessary completion documents, the final bill and balance payment remain unpaid.
Following arguments, the court observed that the lapse by the departments constitutes contempt of court. Notices were issued to Vikas Raj, IAS, Special Chief Secretary of R&B; Sandeep Kumar Sulthania, IAS, Principal Secretary of Finance; Mohan Naik, Chief Engineer of State Roads, and other officials, directing them to appear and explain why action should not be taken under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
The court’s order underscores the judiciary’s insistence on timely compliance with its directions and highlights accountability of government departments in financial obligations to contractors.