'Consider settling bills of contractor for putting up helipad'

The Madras High Court today directed the Tamil Nadu PWD Secretary to consider settling bills of a contractor for the work of putting up a helipad in Thanjavur on September 9, 2005 for the visit of then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
"Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and without expressing any opinion on contentions raised by the petitioner, government is directed to consider his representation of July 4, 2015 and pass orders on merits and in accordance with law after affording opportunity to him and other parties in six weeks," Justice R Mahadevan said while disposing the petition filed by contractor M Peter.

Peter submitted that Jayalalithaa was to visit Thanjavur for inaugurating welfare programmes. The Assistant Engineer attached to the Executive Officer of PWD contacted him 15 days in advance and entrusted him the work of putting up a helipad, wooden barricade and laying of road to the stage in an emergent manner. He also completed the work.
The petitioner said the ruling party then changed and he was not sanctioned the cost of the work executed. His family was financially weak and he had to pay interest to the creditors, he said.
Peter said he had sent a representation to the present government and it was transferred to the Executive officer of PWD wing, Thanjavur. On August 17, 2011, he was told that the funds would be alloted and settled after receiving approval for the works done and getting necessary Government Order.

However, the money had not been settled till date, he said and sought the court's intervention to consider his representation and settle the amount.