New Delhi, Jan 14 (KNN) As the due amount for advertisement published more than four years ago, the Himachal Pradesh Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Arbitrator has directed the Haryana Congress to pay Rs 33.75 lakh to a Himachal Pradesh-based MSME unit, in a significant award.

In its 17-page award, the Arbitrator, retired District and Sessions Judge Ravinder Parkash Verma, directed President of Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee Ashok Tanwar and its Treasurer Tarun Bhandari to pay Rs 33.75 lakh to Nadaun, Hamirpur-based MSME unit First News Director Surender Singh Hooda.

The arbitrator issued direction for paying within 30 days to Hooda Rs 33,75,984.

The amount include Rs 16,01,522 as balance principal amount for publishing a political advertisement in its daily paper 'Pehli Khabar' from October 5 to October 15 in 2014 and Rs 17,74,462 as interest on this amount under Section 16 of MSMED Act, 2006.

The HPMSEFC chairman-cum- HP Industries Commissioner appointed Verma as an arbitrator on June 30 last year to arbitrate the dispute as the parties had failed to reconcile the matter before HPMSEFC.

Verma said in his award that the petitioner Hooda is entitled to get reimbursed the arbitrator's fees of Rs 40,000 from Haryana Congress.

He added that he would also be entitled to get the litigation expenses and other miscellaneous expenses to the extent of Rs 60,000 from HPCC.