M.P. Singh, J. - (1.) DELAY is one of the besetting sins of the administration. The executive should ensure that the matters coming before it are dealt with expeditiously. If delay is inevitable in a particular instance, the citizen should be apprised of the same. A citizen has a reasonable expectation that a certain line of conduct will be followed. This usually should not be departed from without very good reasons. In the instant case. Government has shown sufficient cause of not appointing its arbitrator within the statutory period as contemplated in Section 9(b) of the Arbitration Act.
(2.) FOR the construction of the left bunk diversion tunnels on the (sic) Bhagirathi and Bhilanga at Tehri, an agreement was entered into between Karam Chand Thapar and Brothers, Ticil Division, Tehri (in short, Thapars) and the Superintending Engineer, Tehri Dam Circle I, Tehri (in short, the Government) on 28th April, 1978. The agreement contained an arbitration clause. The relevant Clause 1 -3 -01 provided that in the event of any dispute between the parties, the matter would be referred to two arbitrators, one to be appointed by each party.
(3.) A dispute arose between the parties regarding rate of furnishing and placing of chain link fabric on the tunnels face.;