- (1.) Heard Sri Ashok Kumar, counsel for the petitioners, and the learned Standing Counsel.
(2.) The short question for consideration in this writ petition is whether the petitioner is entitled to interest on belated payment(s).
(3.) The contention of the petitioner is that it became entitled to refund of Rs. 14,195 as a result of the order dated February 27, 1993, passed by the Trade Tax Tribunal. Thereafter, an order to refund the amount came to be passed on February 7, 1996. Pursuant to that order, a refund voucher was prepared on March 14, 1996, which was issued by the respondent on June 15, 1996. As a voucher is valid only for a period of 60 days under Rule 99 of the U.P. Trade Tax Rules, the voucher dated March 14, 1996, was dishonoured by the bank, as that was presented much beyond the period of validity. The respondent then prepared another voucher on August 29, 1996, which is said to have been despatched on November 13, 1996, and that, according to the petitioner, was received on November 16, 199.6. The second voucher dated August 29, 1996, also suffered from the same infirmity and, therefore, that too was dishonoured by the bank.;