Krishna Iyer, J. - (1.) We are pronouncing a short judgment disposing of both the appeals. They stem from an award in a dispute between a contractor and the Railway Department of the Union of India. Steel scrap was to have been supplied as per the contract to the respondent. But disputes having arisen between the parties a reference was made to arbitration. An award followed. But it became the subject matter of a challenge. These two appeals have spiralled us to this Court. We are not narrating the facts in further detail which would have been necessary had we the need to investigated the issues and pronounce thereon. But we have narrowed down the scope of the controversy and although the award upholds the respondent's right to receive the entire quantity of scrap we have persuaded the counsel on both sides and their parties through them to adopt a middle course. We must state that the advocates have been very helpful in bringing to an end a litigation which otherwise could have had a protracted course. A minimal dispute, which survived has been left to us for decision and we decide that also in this short judgment.
(2.) We direct that half the quantity of scrap covered by the contract for supply shall be supplied at the place appointed in the contract within three months from to-day by the railway Department. Counsel for the Union of India raised only a minor objection that some quantities of steel scrap were lying in different places and the respondent must be asked to bear the cost of transportation. We think it unjust to make the respondent liable for such expense and direct the Railway Department to make available half the total quantity stipulated under the contract at the places fixed in the contract at the expenses of the Union of India.
(3.) The only surviving issue turns on payment of interest claimed by the respondent. We are not satisfied that the circumstances of the case or the statutory provisions in this behalf justify award of interest to the respondent. We negative that claim.;