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PETITIONER: M/S. RAAG RANG & ANR.

       Vs.

RESPONDENT: THE GENERAL MANAGER DELHI TELEPHONES & ORS.

DATE OF JUDGMENT:       03/04/1997

BENCH: K. RAMASWAMY, D.P. WADHWA

ACT:

HEADNOTE:

JUDGMENT:                          O R D E R      The appellants  claim that  they have paid a sum of Rs. 5,370.35 together  with  reconnection  charges  of  Rs.50/-, nonetheless, there  is a  threat  of  disconnection  to  the appellant. In the letter, Annexure-E at page 36 of the paper books, it is stated as under:      "Please refer  to  this  letter  of      even No.  dated  8.11.85  regarding      payment    of     telephone    dues      pertaining to telephone No.386056.      You may please recall your visit to      Sh.  K.K.   Trikha   Area   Manager      (Central) on  28.8.85 in connection      with payment  of the  dues  against      telephone No.  386056.  During  the      discussion you  have intimated that      the payment  of the said bills were      made in  the 1st  week of  May, 79.      Investigation have been made by GMT      office  and   records   have   been      thoroughly  checked.   payment   of      bills in question detailed below do      not appear  in  the  bonds  of  GMT      office.      You are  therefore again  requested      to arrange payment of the following      bills    and     furnish    payment      particulars within 10 days from the      date of issue of this letter;"      In view  of this  litter, the primary disputed question is of  fact, viz.,  whether or  not payment  has been  made. Under these  circumstances, we  cannot satisfactorily decide the dispute.  Alternative arbitration  under section 11-A of the Telegraphs  Act is  available for  adjudication  of  the dispute. It  is open  to   the  appellants  either  to  make payment of  the bill  or to  the appellants  either to  make payment of  the bill  or an  application  to  the  competent authority to  adjudicate the  dispute; on  decision  of  the dispute, appropriate  decision would  be taken.  Until then, the interim  stay granted  by this court would continue. The

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appellants shall make payment of an application, as the case may be,  with  in  30  days  from  today,  subject  to  such objections that may be raised.      The appeal is accordingly disposed of. No costs.