In his application to the Ombudsman, the complainant said he had handed over complete work of the first floor of the building on April 7, 2003, and submitted the first running bill for payment, of which less than half of the amount was paid at that time.
In the meantime, he completed the remaining work and handed over the building to the hospital administration on September 2, 2003, submitting the final bill, but payment was not made.
In his reply, the MS Mayo Hospital reported that K.A. Enterprises was issued work order by the Director Works, KEMC and Allied Hospitals Lahore, and scope of work was handed over to the complainant in response to his acceptance on the approved rates with a time limit of two and half months.
Terms and conditions for renovation work were duly acknowledged by the complainant. Work on the first floor was completed and taken over by the hospital authorities two and half months after expiry of the agreed date, while the complainant had not applied for extension in time.
The MS contended that the final payment could not be made since the complainant had failed to comply with the agreement, while he had already been made part payment on the assurance that he would complete the work in time.
The complainant asserted that the hospital administration made changes in the scope of the work, resulting in delay in completion.
After hearing both parties, the ombudsman directed that the KEMC and Allied Hospitals, Lahore, principal should immediately decide the application of complainant/contractor regarding extension in time and payment of the remaining amount be made to him.
The KEMC principal submitted to the Ombudsman Secretariat that time extension had been granted as applied for by the contractor and payment, amounting to Rs 956,025, had been made to him.