- (1.) This matter comes up before us in continuation of our order dated 16.3.1990 in Writ Petition (C) No.105 of 1973. By the said order we had directed that certain outstanding issues between the parties should be referred to the arbitration of Sri Justice S. Natarajan, Judge of this Court. The Arbitrator has now given a reasoned award dated 26.11.1991 and this award has been filed into the Court.
(2.) Objections have been filed to the award by the petitioners, the first respondent as well as the 6th respondent. There is also an application on behalf of State of Meghalaya (respondent No.2) for a slight modification of the directions given by the Arbitrator.
(3.) We have heard learned counsel for the petitioners as well as respondent No.6 in regard to their objections to the award. Respondent No.1 has only supported respondent No.6 in its contentions and has not put forward any separate contentions. After considering the objections put forward, we are of the opinion that there is no substance in these contentions and that the award as made by the Arbitrator should ne made a rule of Court. There is only one slight modification that seems to be called for. The arbitrator has directed that Respondent Nos. I and 6 should pay to the petitioners a sum of Rs.41,14,000/- with subsequent interest. He has directed that thereafter the petitioners should pay a sum of Rs. 10,70,000/- to respondent No.2 towards the arrears of royalty due to the said respondent. Since all the parties are before us, we think that the award should be modified by directing that respondent Nos.] and 6 to pay to the petitioners a sum of Rs.30,44,000/- only (being Rs.41,14,000 awarded to them less Rs.10,70,000 payable by them to respondent no.2) in full satisfaction of the claim made by the petitioners against them. This sum will bear interest @ 12 per cent per annum, as directed by the Arbitrator, from the date of the award till the date of realisation. This amount should be paid by the Union of India and respondent No.6 within a period of 3 months from today.;