Court orders seizure of zilla panchayat's property

Godhra, Sept 7 (UNI) A local court today ordered seizure of movable properties of the zilla panchayat for non-payment of dues to the tune of Rs 66 lakh, inclusive of interest, to a road contractor.

A bailiff today came to the zilla office with the seizure order and took away from th DDO P Swaroop's room a revolving chair, computer and two vehicles - an Ambassador car and a jeep and from the accounts officer's room his revolving chair.

When the bailiff came, the DDO was not present. Later, a crestfallen DDO and his deputy and others rushed to the court requesting that the property seized, be released. The judge said the payment must be paid to the contractor. He then asked the zilla officials to come on Monday to discuss the modalities of payment.

Sriram Construction Company of Halol(Panchmahals) had carried out road work in 1980 after the work was awarded through the due process of tender. When the panchayat dilly-dallied and failed to pay as the contractor had submitted a Rs 25 lakh bill in 1985-86, Mr Deepak V Shah(one of the partners) approached the court.

The court hearing both parties, ordered Rs 6.49 lakh with 20 per cent interest(per annum) to be paid for the work. And on March 31, 2006 the court further announced an additional 20 per cent interest to be paid on the outstanding amount which rose to a whopping Rs 66 lakh.

When the court had ordered Rs 6.49 lakh payment zilla authorities went to the High Court for a stay. However, when the zilla's lawyer was not attending court, the High Court rejected the petition.

UNI