N.Gnanasekar v. The Goverment Of Tamil Nadu

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 23-01-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI N.Gnanasekar ..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Government of Tamil Nadu Rep. By its Principal Secretary to Government, Water Resources Department, Fort St. George, Chennai-9.

2. The Engineer in-Chief @ Chief Engineer (General), Water Resources Department, Chepauk, Chennai-5,

3. The Pay and Accounts Officer Pay and Accounts Office, Madurai.

..Respondent(s) Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st Respondent to issue the ratification as recommended by the 2nd Respondent vide his Proceedings dated 19.05.2023 and thereby stepping up and revise the pay of the petitioner on par with his junior, the said Mr.Arunachalam with effect from 01.05.2018 in the post of Executive Engineer and to grant consequential revision of pay from the said date in all posts held by the petitioner and accordingly refix the pension and pay the arrears of pay and all retiral benefits therefor with appropriate interest, from the 19.05.2023 to the date of payment, within a time frame as may be fixed by this Hon'ble Court.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr. N.Subramaniyan For Respondent(s):

Mr.T.M.Rajangam, Government Advocate for RR-1 & 2 Mr.T.Ravikumar for R-3

ORDER

The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the 1st Respondent to issue the ratification as recommended by the 2nd Respondent vide his Proceedings dated 19.05.2023 and thereby stepping up and revise the pay of the petitioner on par with his junior, the said Mr.Arunachalam with effect from 01.05.2018 in the post of Executive Engineer and to grant consequential revision of pay from the said date in all posts held by the petitioner and accordingly refix the pension and pay the arrears of pay and all retiral benefits therefor with appropriate interest, from the 19.05.2023 to the date of payment, within a time frame as may be fixed by this Hon'ble Court.

2. Mr.T.M.Rajangam, learned Additional Government Pleader takes notice on behalf of 1st and 2nd respondent. Mr.T.Ravikumar, learned counsel takes notice on behalf of 3rd respondent.

3. The petitioner retired from service as Chief Engineer in Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department on 31.07.2023. It is the case of the petitioner that, pursuant to his letter dated 28.11.2022 seeking ratification of pay anomaly on par with his Junior namely Arunachalam, the 2nd respondent, by order dated 19.05.2023 admitted the existence of pay anomaly and forwarded a proposal dated 07.06.2023 to the 1st respondent recommending issuance of necessary orders for stepping up the petitioner's pay on par with his junior. However, no orders have been passed on the said proposal till date. Hence, the present Writ Petition.

4. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that, it would suffice, if this Court issues a direction to the 1st respondent to consider and pass appropriate orders on the proposal dated 07.06.2023 sent by the 2nd respondent, within the time that may be stipulated by this Court.

5. On the above contention, this Court, heard the learned Government Advocate appearing for the 1st and 2nd respondent and learned counsel appearing for the 3rd respondent.

6. In view of the limited relief sought for in this Writ Petition, this Court without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, directs the 1st respondent to consider the proposal dated 07.06.2025 forwarded by the 2nd respondent and pass appropriate orders on the same on merits and in accordance with law within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

7. This Writ Petition stands disposed of with the aforesaid direction. There shall be no order as to costs.

23-01-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order NHS To

1. The Principal Secretary to Government, The Government of Tamil Nadu, Water Resources Department, Fort St. George, Chennai-9.

2. The Engineer in-Chief @ Chief Engineer (General), Water Resources Department, Chepauk, Chennai-5,

3. The Pay and Accounts Officer Pay and Accounts Office, Madurai.

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

NHS 23-01-2026